History of the county Longford

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

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DA 990.L85F24

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Cornell University
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HISTORY

OF

THE COUFTY LOI^GFORD

ILLUSTRATED.

BY

JAMES P. FAREELL

DOLLARD, PRINTINGHOUSE, DUBLIN.

1891.

Price, lUufttrated and Post Paid, Ten Shillings.

fool's c&

PREFACE.

The following pages will, I hope, throw a long-required light on
. the history of the most central county in Ireland. I have endeavoured
to explain its ancient and modern formation; and no effort of mine
has been spared to describe that transition stage when the land of
Longford or Annaly passed away from the ancient to the planter
owners. At very considerable expense I have secured an accurate
copy of the Patent Rolls of James I., showing, as will be found on
perusal, who the ancient owners of every townland in Longford County
were, and to whom these lands were conveyed by Royal Letters Patent.
If the reader is at all of an inquiring turn of mind, it will be very easy
for him to fill up the space of two hundred and sixty years with the
names of any old families in these townlands, and he lias as accurate
an idea as I can give of who are, and who are not, the " old stock " in
Longford County to-day.

I am aware that many people, from whom better should be expected,
have uot hesitated to describe my previous publications on this subject
as an attempt to laudato the O'Farrells, as they say, "because I am a
Farrell myself." Such an idea can only be harboured by the ignorant.
Anyone who knows me will not doubt me when I say, as I have said
often before, that were the ancient possessors of Annaly any other
family or name but that of Farrell or O'Farrell, I would take as much
pains, and probably more than I have taken, to put their history before
the world. The illustrations will, I hope, be found interesting — in
any case they cannot but add to the interest of the volume.

JAMBS P. FARRELL,

LoNGiOBJj,

Feast of St. Mel, 1891.

HISTOEY

THE COUNTY LONG-FORD.

History tells us that we Irish are directly descended from the Milesians,
who were the sixth and last body of invaders that took possession of
this island in the dark ages before the Christian era. Prior to their
advent Ireland had been successively the prize of five different peoples —
Partholans, Nemedians, Formorians, Firbolgs, and Tuatha-de-Danaans.
The Partholans were the descendants of a chief named Partholanus,
who was the first inhabitant of Ireland after the Deluge. They were
expelled from the country by the Nemedians, who, after an occupation
of nearly two hundred years, were driven out by a race of pirates called
Formorians. One part of the Nemedians went to the south of Europe,
where they were put into slavery as bag-carriers, from which they
were called Firbolgs. Another part went northwards, and became the
powerful race subsequently called Tuatha-de-Danaans. The Firbolgs
were the first to turn with a longing eye to the isle they had lost, and
two hundred years had not passed away until they reconquered this
country, driving the Formorians into the sea. Almost immediately
after the Tuatha-de-Danaans began to think of returning to the home
of their forefathers, and before their cousins had been thirty years in
their reconquered homes, the Tuatha-de-Danaans swooped down from
the north and expelled them from the country. Even at such a remote
period we see this striking example of the affection with which these
rude sons of the forest and the sea regarded "the woody isle," as

B

10 HISTORY OF THE GOtTNTT LONGFORD.

Ireland was then called. For one hundred and ninety years the
Tuatha-de-Danaans reigned supreme in the land, during which time
they organized a system of government, and divided the country into
kingdoms. But in the year B.C. 3,500 a new race appeared to claim the
island in the persons of the Milesians, who had been long established as
a considerable nation in Spain. The Milesians were descended from
Ghaedhal or G-atelus, who was the sixth in direct descent from Noah,
and Noah being the ninth patriarch from Adam, Grhaedal was, there-
fore, the fifteenth patriarch in direct descent from the first man.
Grhaedal gave his name to his posterity, who were therefrom called
Gradelians, and the ancient records of the world prove that the twelfth
king of the Ghadelians was Milesius, who was the father of the three
sons that headed the Milesians in the sixth and last pre-Christian con-
quest of Ireland. When the Milesians arrived at Inver-Scene in
the present County of Kerry, the Tuatha-de-Danaans complained that
they were taken at a disadvantage, and were unprepared to offer the
Milesians battle. They proffered, however, if the invaders would retire
the distance of nine waves from the shore to give them battle on return-
ing, and to yield up the island peacefully if the issue was against them.
To this the Milesians consented ; but when they had retired the required
distance, the Tuatha-de-Danaans, who were skilled in the art of necro-
mancy, caused a great storm to arise which dispersed the Milesian ships
and sunk many of them. Such of them as escaped were driven to the
mouth of the Boyne, where they landed, and marching to Teltown, in
the County Meath, a great battle was fought, in which the Tuatha-de-
Danaans were entirely defeated, and the Milesians became masters of
the island.

The new masters were commanded by three chieftains — Heremon,
Heber Finn, and Ir, and the latter having been killed in the battle, his
son, Heber Donn, became co-heir with his uncles to the new possession.
Heremon was the elder brother, and scarcely had the difl&culty of beat-
ing the enemy been got over until Heber Finn and he quarrelled,,
whereupon, as in the case of Cain and Abel, Heremon slew Heber

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 11

Finn, and became sole ruler iiimself . He then made a distribution of
the land, retaining the fair portion of Leinster to himself, giving Ulster
to the son of Ir, Munster to the son of Heber Finn, and Connaught to
two of his most trusted chieftains. Thus then was the Milesian invasion
of Ireland accomplished five hundred years before the birth of Christ.
It will now be our duty to confine ourselves to the particular fortunes
of the house of Ir ; because, as we shall see, it was from him that were
descended the families who occupied what, two thousand years later,
became the County of Longford.

It is not the purpose of this volume to give a history of Ulster.
That, indeed, would be a herculean task, although in itself scarcely as
difficult as to give a history of those ancient days in what became and
now is the County Longford. Men, and things, and places were in
those days known by names which have undergone so much change,
that few there are who can accurately trace the history of any one spot
in Ireland. In general it may be safely supposed that the same things
which happened elsewhere in Ireland in those days happened in Long-
ford ; that there were wars, and raids, and ravages between many con-
tending factions in each generation, as when we read in the " Four
Masters " : " A.M. 3790. After having reigned eighteen years as
monarch of Ireland, Aengus Olumchaidh fell in the battle of Carmen
(now in County Wexford). Aengus gained several battles, amongst
which was the battle of Ardachaidh, in which fell Smiorgall, the son of
Smeatha, king of the Formorians."

The Irian race became owners of the" land of Ulster, and their chiefs
kings of that province, dwelling with great splendour at Emania, near
the present city of Armagh. The twenty-sixth king from Ir was a
monarch called Fergus the Great. He had reigned but seven years
when he was overcome in battle by the famous Connor MacNessa,
and had to fly into Connaught for safety. At this time there lived
there the celebrated Queen Maud, or Mave, whose name is connected
with so many legends in Ireland. Maud gladly received the exiled
prince, and hospitably entertained him, the result beiag that Fergus

12 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONaPOED.

married her. Of this marriage three sons were born, two of whom
became founders of the O'Connor family of Kerry, whilst the third,
who was the eldest, and whose name was Conmac, received all his
mother and father's inheritance. This included, on his mother's side,
all of the present Counties of Galway, Mayo, and part of Roscommon,
whilst by his father he came into possession of the southern portion of
the dominions from which Fergus Mor had been driven. Conmac
erected this large inheritance into the kingdom of Conmacne, over
which he and his descendants ruled ; but after the lapse of years the
kingdom was divided into principalities and chieftaincies according as
the race of Conmac increased in numbers. In the course of centiiries
a chieftain ruled all that part of the territory of Conmacne bounded on
the west and north-west by the Shannon, and the south and east by the
Inny. This man's name was Anghaile, and after his time the land he
ruled was called " the land of Anghaile, " or, as it was afterwards
Anglicized, Annaly. Anghaile's grandson was a chieftain named Fear-
ghail, who, with his sons and clansmen, fought against the Danes at
Clontarf, a.d. 1015. So distinguished and powerful did he become,
that his descendants were called OTearghails, which was Anglicized
O'Ferrall, the family name of the old inhabitants- of Annaly to this
present day.

It is right to mention that there is a diversity of opinion as to the
exact location of old Annaly. ' From the following extracts from a com-
mentary on the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, it would seem as if the
O'Farrells derived possession of the County Longford from force of
arms. Thus it appears that —

" Teffia, which fell to Mann and his posterity, was formerly a very
extensive country in Meath, comprising five baronies in Westmeath —
viz., the country of the Foxes, Calrigia, Bregmania, Cuircina (besides
the lands assigned to the Tuites, Petits and Daltons), and the County
Longford, divided into North and South Teffia. North Teffia is Cabra-
gaura, the possession of Carbry, son of King Niall, where the sons of
Carbry, apprehensive of the curse pronounced against them by Patrick,

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 13

were converted, and entertained him in a friendly spirit, to whom
they gave the beautiful place called Grranard. South Teffia, in the
County Longford, being divided from Westmeath by the River Eithne
(Inny), belonged to Mann and his posterity. St. Patrick regenerated
this Mann in the waters of baptism, and built a church in a place called
Ardachadh, which to this day is the See of Ardagh, and consecrated
Melus, his sister's son, bishop, with whom he left Milchuo, his brother,
co-bishop."

From this it would appear that Mann, who, according to O'Hart,
was the progenitor of the O'Keareys, inhabited Longford County.
But this account is obscure and unreliable, whereas- all modern
commentators agree that the County of Longford was the principal
part of the ancient patrimony of the O'Farrells.

Writing on this subject quite recently, a learned divine of the Dior
cese of Ardagh says : —

" The ' O'Ferrall' Sept, Princes of Annally, is an illustrious family
of Milesian origin ; descended from Milesius, who was king of Gralicia,
Andalusia, Murcia, Castile and Portugal, and who is known as Milesius
of Spain. The Milesians came into this cormtry several centuries
before the birth of Christ. The three sons of Milesius who left any
issue were Heber, Ir and Heremon. From Ir descended Fergus Mor,
who (by Meavre, or Mab, Queen of Connaught) was th^ father of three
sons, respectively, Conmac, Ciar, and Core ; from Ciar are descended the
O'Connors of Kerry, who were kings Agri Kerriensis (the O'Connors
of Connaught being descended from Heremon) ; from Core, the
O'Connors of Corcomroe,, and the O'Loughhns of Burren, both terri-
tories being situate in the County of Clare ; and from the eldest son,
Conmac, the O'Farrells, Kings of Conmacne (this word signifying
'the posterity of Conmac'), which contained all that territory which
we now call the County of Longford, a large portion of the Counties of
Leitrim, Sligo and Galway, and that part of the County of Westmeath
anciently called Ouircneach, but more lately, ' Dillon's Country.'

" From Angall, a direct lineal descendant of Conmac,. that.ipart of

14 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

Conmacne, now known as the County of Longford, and Cuircneach, in
"Westmeath, was called 'Upper Annally;' and the adjacent part of the
County of Leitrim was called Lower Annaly ; and his posterity, after
they lost the title of Kings of Conmacne, which his ancestors enjoyed,
were upon their submission to the Crown of England, styled Princes or
Lords of both Annalies until a recent period.

" Third in descent from Angall was Feargal (a quo ' OTerrall') who
was King of Conmacne, and was slain fighting on the side of Brian
Boru at the Battle of Clontarf, a.d. 1014,

" About that time the O'Farrels conquered Cairbre the Incredulous
(upon whom, for his incredulity, the malediction of St. Patrick swiftly
descended), and dispossessed the O'Kearys, whose tribe was Hy-Cair-
hri; and they changed the name Hy-Cairbri to 'Annaly,' their own
tribe name."

From this it would seem that the territory of the O'Farrells lay
prior to the tenth century more eastwards, and that the major part of
Teffia, which was the Irish name for Meath, belonged to them. Be
that as it may, it is undisputed that the County of Longford was
included in the ancient patrimony of Conmac, who was the direct pro-
genitor of the O'Farrell family. We will now look through that
excellent book, the " Annals of the Four Masters," for references to
Hy-Caii'bre, or, as it was called at a later period, Annally.

EXTEAOTS FEOM THE "AnNALS OF THE FoUR MaSTBES."

«

A.D. 236. This year Cormac, the grandson of Conn, who was
King of the Lagenians (Leinster), overthrew the Ultonians (Ulstermen),
in a great battle fought at Granard. Their defeat was so great that
many of them fled to the Isle of Man and the Hebrides, and Cormack
was ever after known as Cormack Ulfoda.

*' 476. In this year a battle was fought between the Granardians
and the Leinstermen, in which Eochaidh, who was descended from
End* Madh, King of Leinster, was defeated and slain in the battle.

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOSD. 15

"480. In this year a battle was fought between the Lagenians
themselves, in which Fionchadd, Lord of Hy Kinsellagh, was slain by
the Grranardians."

(The references which are found in the Annals relating to St.
Patrick's visits to the County of Longford will appear further on.)

" 742. Fiachra, son of Grabran of Meath, was drowned in Lough
Kee.

" 747. Conang, grandson of Dhubhan, Lord of Carbry of TeflBa
(Granard), died.

" 751. The fleet of Dealbua-nudat was wrecked on Lough Eee.

" 761. At Shruthaire a great battle was fought between the rival
clans of Conmacne and Hy Bruin. In this battle the Conmacians were
routed, and many of them killed, including Hugh Dub, the son of
Toichleach. The victory in this battle was gained by Dubindracht, the
son of Cathal.

" 766. Artgal, son of Connell, Lord of Carbry of Teffia, died.

" 842. Torlorg, son of Aileladh, Chief of Fealla (Faly), was slain by
the Danes in Lough Ree, and Findacan, his brother, escaped from
them.

" 843. There was a hosting on Lough Ree by Turgesius, Lord of
the Danes, and they plundered Connacht and Meath, and all the
churches they could reach.

"858. An army composed of Lagenians, Connacians, and the
southern Hy Nialls, marched to Fiachla, under the conduct of Mael-
saghlin, the son of Maelrony, and encamped at Moydumha, in the
vicinity of Ardagh.

" 902. Cormac Mac Culeman and Flaithberthach marched with an
army against the Hy Nialls of the south and against the Connacians,
and they took the hostages of Connaught in their great fleets on the
Shannon, and plundered the islands of Lough Ree.

" 913. An attack was made on Flann Sionna by his sons, Dona,gh
and Connor, and they plundered Meath (Annaly) as far as Lough
Ree.

16 filSTOET OF TfiE COUNTY LONGPOBD.

' *■ 920. Clonmacnoise was plundered by the Danes of Limerick, and
tliey went on Lough. Ree and plundered all the islands.

" 921. The Danes were on Lough Eee, and they slew Bachtighern,
son of Flamchad, Lord of Breghmaine.

"927. A naval engagement took place on the Shannon between
Conmacne and Tuath Ella, in which were slain Cathal, grandson of
Mael, and Flaghertagh, son of Tuathaile, and others besides.
• " 029; The Danes of Limerick took up on Lough Ree.

" 934. Amlaff the Scabby-headed, with his Danes, came from Lough
Erne across BrefEny, and as far as Lough Ree, on Christmas Day,
where they remained seven months, and plundered the country.

"935. Auliffe, son of Godfrey, Lord of the Danes, came from
Dublin about the 1st of August, and brought away with him Amlaff
the Scabby-headed and his Danes, having destroyed his ships.

" 960. Inismore, on Lough Ree, was taken by Murchadh O'Kelly
from Oeallach, son of Rorke, Lord of Siol Ronan (Clan Ronan), whom
he brought with his fleet in captivity to Hy-Maine.

" 987. The men of Munster and the Danes of Waterford came in
vessels on Lough Ree. The Connacians assembled against them, and
a battle was fought between them. Grreat numbers of the Momonians
and Danes were cut off with slaughter, and, amongst others, Dulaing,
the heir-apparent to the crown of Munster, and many others along with
him. The heir-apparent to the crown of Connaught also fell by them
in the heat of the engagement.

" 992. A new fleet was brought by Brian, the son of Kennedy, and
he plundered the territory of the men of Breffny.
■■ " 1030. The kingdom of Meath was obtained by O'Melaghlin after
he had been banished on Lough Ree by Grott O'Melaghlin (the
Stammerer).

" 1069. In this year Murchad, the son of Diarmuid, marched into
Meath and burned a large amount of property. Jay and ecclesiastical.
He also burned Granard and Ardbraccan, the lord of which met and
slew him.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 19

" 1082. A great number of the inhabitants of Westmeath and of
Delvin were slain on Lough Ree by Domnhall ; and their defeat was
called ' the defeat of the ships.'

" 1095. The Dalradians gave the TJItonians a great overthrow in a battle
at Ardagh, in which fell Lochlen 0' Carroll, heir-apparent to the
Kingdom of Ulster, and Giolla Comghall O'CarroU, and many others.

" 1103. Cathalan, son of Seanan, was slain by the people of Capra
Graura (Granard).

" 1108. Donnell, son of Donnell O'Rourke, Lord of Breiffney, was
slain by the people of Granard.

" 1133. The sons of Cuconnaught O'Connor were drowned in
Lough Eee.

" 1135. The fleet of Morogh O'Melaghlin was brought on Lough
Ree ; and the O'Connors with their king, and the O'Kellys with their
lord came, and each party left hostages with Morogh. (Morogh
O'Melaghlin was this year Ard Righ of Ireland, hence the giving of
hostages to him.)

" 1137. Turlogh O'Connor brought a fleet on the Shannon and on
Lough Ree. That was a valiant expedition for him indeed against the
fleet of the men of Breiffny under Tiernan O'Rourke, and against the
fleet of the men of Meath under the King of Tara, which consisted of
200 vessels, although Turlogh had only twenty.

"1161. Matudan, grandson of Cronan, Lord of Carbry Grabha
(Granard), fell by the sons of MacComgall at Granard.

" 1162. Carbry -na-Ciardha (Granard) was plundered by Maol-
saochlin O'Rorke. He was, however, defeated, and many of his men
were killed.

" 1172. The sons of Annadh O'Rourk and the English
treacherously plundered the inhabitants of Annally. They drove off
many cows and took many captives. They afterwards made another
incursion into Ardagh, and during the expedition ravaged the County
Longford, and slew Donnal OTarrell, Chieftain of Annally.

"11 89. After Connor Moinmoy had been slain by a party of his

20 HISTOEiT OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

own people, tLe O'Connors of Connaught came to Roderick O'Connor,
once King of Ireland, to restore him to his kingdom and give him
hostages, for the hostages given to Connor Moinmoy were left in
Lough Ree on Inisclothrann.

"1190. A meeting took place between Charles the Bed-handed and
Charles Carrach O'Connor to conclude a peace. The Archbishops
Connor MacDermott and Arteach O'Reddy were also present. No
agreement could be come to, and O'Connor and his clan came that
night to Clonmacnoise. Afterwards they sailed up the Shannon to
Lough Eee, where a great storm tossed their fleet. O'Connor's ship
became unmanageable and foundered, and but six others and himself
were saved.

" 1183. Auliffe (Oliver) O'Farrell assumed the Lordship of Annaly,
and Hugh was expelled.'

" 1196. Hugh O'Farrell, Lord of Annaly, was treacherously slain by
the sons of Sitric O'Quinn.

" 1207. Auliffe O'Farrell, Chief of Annaly, died.

" 1209. Donogh O'Farrell, Chieftain of Annaly, died.

"1210. The sons of Roderic O'Connor, and Tiege, the son of
Connor Moinmoy, accompanied by some of the people of Annaly,
crossed the Shannon, and making an incursion into some of the
territory east thereof (Meath), carried a spoil with them into the wil-
derness of Kenel-Dobhtha. Hugh, the son of Charles the Red-handed,
pursued them, and a battle was fought between them, in which the sons
of Roderic were defeated and driven again across the Shannon, leaving
some of their men and horses behind them.

" 1232. Hugh, the son of Auliffe, son of Connal O'Farrell, Chieftain
of Annaly, was burned on the island of Inislochacuile (Lough Owel), by
the sons of Hugh Cialach, son of Morogh O'Farrell, having been nine
years chieftain of Annaly, from the death of his predecessor, Moroch
Carragh O'Farrell.

"1262. A great pillage was committed by the Enghsh of Meath on
G-ioUa-na-Naomh O'Farrell (the Just), Lord of Annaly. His own tribe

HISTORY OF THE OOUTSTTT LONGPOED. 21

also^ forsook him and placed themselves under the protection of the
English ; afterwards they deposed him, and bestowed the lordship on
the son of Morogh Carragh O'Farrell. In consequence of this, GioUa
committed great devastations, depredations, spoliations, and pillages
upon the English, and fought several fierce battles upon them, in which
he slew vast numbers. He also defended vigorously the lordship of
Annaly, and expelled the son of Murrough Carrach O'Farrell from the
country.

" 1274. Is recorded his death, having achieved the victory of penance.
He was son of Auliffe.

" In the year 1271, it is related that Donall O'Flynn was slain by the
son of Robin Lawless at Shrewne.

" 1282. Cathal, his son, who succeeded him in the lordship, died in
Iniscuan, and Jeffry O'Farrell, his brother, succeeded him.

" 1318. JefEry, the grandson of GioUa-na-naiomh O'Farrell, Lord of
Annaly, died.

" 1322. Moragh, son of GrioUa and Lord of Annaly, was treacherously
slain by Seonnin (Little John) O'Farrell at Cluainlisbeg.

" 1328. Connor Mac Brennan was slain by the inhabitants of Annaly.

" 1345. Brian O'Farrell, worthy heir to the lordship of Annaly, died.

" 1347. GrioUa-na-Naomh, the son of Jeffry, who was son of the other
GioUa, died at Cluanlisbeg, having held for a long time the lordship of
Annaly.

" 1348. Cathal O'Farrell, lord, died.

" 1353. Mahon, the son of Griolla, Lord of Annaly, died.

" 1355. Donall, the son of John O'Farrell, Lord of Annaly, died.

" 1362. Dermot, son of John, Lord of Annaly, died.

" 1364. Melaghlin, son of Morogh, son of Griolla, son of Hugh, son
of Auliffe, Lord of Annaly, died.

" 1373. The English of Meath made an incursion into Annaly, in
the course of which they slew Eoderic, the son of Cathal O'Farrell, his
son, and numbers of his people. Donagh O'Farrell pursued them with
all his forces, and slew great numbers of them; but whilst following

22 HISTORY OP IHE COUNTY LONGFORD.

the Englisli he was killed by the shot of an arrow, whereupon his
people were defeated.

" 1374. MelaghHn, son of Dermot O'Farrell, went frOm Annaly to
Muntir Maolmordha, to wage war with the EngHsh. A fierce and
determined conflict ensued, in which O'Farrell and many others were
slain.

" 1375. Geoffrey O'Farrell, a man of many accomplishments, died.

** 1377. The Castle of Lios-ard-ablha (now only marked by the moat of
LisserdowHng) was erected by John O'Farrell, Lord of Annaly.

"1383. John died, and was interred at Abbeylara.

"1384. Cuconnaught, son of Hugh, and Jeffry O'Farrell, died.

" 1385. Cathal O'Farrell, worthy heir to the lordship of Annaly,
died.

"1398. Morogii O'Farrell, a very renowned man, died a month
before Christmas, and was buried in Abbeylara; and Thomas, son of
Cathal, son of Morogh, also a renowned man, was slain at his residence
(at Killeeu in Legan), by the English df Meath and the Baron of Delvin.
He had been elected Lord of Annaly in preference to John, his elder
brother. John was then inaugurated as his successor.

" 1399. John O'Farrell, Lord of Annaly, died.

" 1411. Murtogh O'Farrell, son of the Lord of Caladh, in Annaly, died.

" 1417. Mathew, son of Cuconnaught, Lord of Magh Treagh, died.

" 1430. Owen O'Neill, accompanied by the chiefs of his province,
marched with a great army into Annaly. He went first to Sean (old)
— Longphort (now the town) — and from that to Coillsallach (Kilsallagh),
where he resided for some time. He went afterwards to Meath, and
returned home in triumph, bringing the son of Donall-boy O'Farrell
with him to Dungannon, as a hostage to ensure O'Farrell's submission
to him as his lord.

" 1443. Brian, the son of Ever, who was son of Thomas, son of
Cathal O'Farrell, was slain as he was endeavouring to make his escape
by force from the island of Inis-purt-an-gurtin, where he had been
detained in confinement two years by Donnall Boy O'Farrell.

HISTOET OP, THE COUNTY LONGFOHD. 23

" 1445. William, the son of John, who was son of Donall O'Farrell,
Lord of Annaly, died after a long and virtuous life; and two chieftain-
cies were then set up in Annaly. Eossa, the son of Murtough the
Meathian, who was son of Brian O'Farrell, was called The O'Farrell by
all the descendants of Morogh O'Farrell and the sons of the two Hughs —
the sons of John O'Farrell and all his other friends proclaimed Donall
Boy, the son of Donall, who was son of John, as chief of the tribe.
The territory was destroyed between the contests of both, until they
made peace and divided Annaly equally between them. (Here the
division of Annaly into Upper and Lower is clearly defined — Grranard
and Longford being the respective seats.) In this year also, in which
two chieftaincies were set up in Annaly, John, son of Brian, son of
Edmond O'Farrell, and eight others along with him, were slain by
John O'Farrell and the sons of Donnell Ballach O'Farrell, on the
mountain which is now called Slieve Galium Brigh Leith (Slieve Galry),
in Ardagh.

" 1452. The Earl of Ormond and the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
marched into the territory of Annaly, where O'Farrell made sub-
mission to the Earl, and promised him beeves as the price of obtaining
peace from him. The Earl and Lord Chief Justice then proceeded to
Westmeath.

" In 1461, The MacGheogan of "Westmeath, committed great depre-
dations on the Baron of Delvin, and plundered the County Longford as
far as Shrewle.

" 1462. Thomas, the son of Cathal, who was son of Cathal O'Farrell,
Tanist of Annaly, was slain at Bail-atha-na-Pailse (now Palles, Gold-
smith's birthplace) at night, whilst in pursuit of plunder which a party
of the Dillons, the Clan Chonchabar, and the sons of Murta,gh, were
carrying off. They carried away his head and his spoils, having found
him with merely a few troops, a circumstance which seldom happened
to him.

" 1467. Donnell Boy O'FarreU, Chieftain of Annaly, and Lewis, the
son of Ross, who was son of Cathal O'Farrell, died ; Iriel O'Farrell was

24 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOKD.

elected to his place, and John assumed Iriel's place as snb-cliief of
Annaly.

" 1474. John O'Farrell was appointed to the chieftainship of Annaly
in preference to his brother, who was blind (and so incapacitated).

" 1475. John O'Farrell, Chief of Annaly, died at Granard, after the
feast of his inauguration had been prepared, but before he had partaken
thereof ; he was interred at Lerrha. At the same time O'Donnell, son
of Niall G-arve, at the head of his forces, accompanied by the chiefs of
Lower Connaught, marched first to Ballyconnell, with intent to liberate
not only his friend and confederate, Brian O'Reilly, but also to con-
clude peace between The O'Rorke and O'Reilly; O'Reilly repaired at
once to Ballyconnell, where a peace was ratified between him and
O'Rorke. After this he marched to Fenagh, and from thence he
directed his course to Annaly, in order to assist his friends, the sons of
Iriell O'Farrell. He burned and destroyed Annaly, except that part of
it which belonged to the sons of Iriell, whom he established in full
sway over the County of Annaly.

"In 1476 the English of Meath made an excursion into East Roscom-
mon, during which they demolished the village of the O'Quinns, occu-
pied Pallas (then called Baile-an-atha-Pailse), the scene of Goldsmith's
boyhood days, and burned the monastery of Shrewle and the fields of
corn in that country.

" 1486. Teigue MacEgan, OUave of Annaly, was slain by the
descendants of Iriel O'Farrell — an abominable deed.

" 1489. A great intestine quarrel arose among the inhabitants of
Annaly, during which they committed great injuries against each other,
and continued to do so until the Lord Chief Justice piade peace among
them, and divided the chieftainship between the sons of John and the
sons of Cathal.

" 1490, Bdmond Duff, the son of Ross, Lord of Calahnah-Angaile,
died, and Phelim, the son of GioUa, who was son of Donnell, assumed
his place.

" 1494. Cormack O'Farrell, the son of John, son of Donall, the
second chieftain of Annaly of that day, died.

HISTOBT OP THE COUNTY LONGPOED. 25

" 1497. A great battle was fought between the rival parties for the
chieftaincy, in which Donnell, son of Brian, Lord of Clan Auliffe, and
Gerald, son of Hugh Oge, Lord of Magh Treagh, were slain, and a great
many others.

" 1516. Wilham, the son of Donogh OTarrell, Bishop of Annaly,
who assisted the Lord President to subdue The MacWilliam Burke, and
thus prevented him ruining The O'Kelly of Hy Maine, in 1504, died.

" 1572. The sons of the Earl (of Eoscommon, I think) next plundered
the district lying between the Eiver Suck and Shannon, and pillaged
every person who was on friendly terms with the English as far as the
gates of Athlone. Afterwards, keeping the Shannon on the right hand,
they marched directly outwards to Slieve Baghnad-tuath, crossed the
ferry of Anghaile, and burned Athleague.

" 1576. Brian O'Rourke committed great predatory outrages this
year in Annaly

"1595. Red Hugh O'Donnell marched an army into Connaught,
plundering the parts of the country that he passed through. On his
arrival in Leitrim, near Mohill, his enemies thought he would return
thence into Ulster, but this he did not do, but privately despatched
messengers to Hugh Maguire, of Eermanagh, requesting that he would
meet him in Annaly. He sent scouts before him through that country,
and ordered them to meet him at an appointed place. He then marched
onwards secretly and expeditiously, and arrived with his troops at the
dawn of day in the Annalies, then the territories of the O'Parrells,
though the Bnghsh had some time previously obtained some power
there. The brave troops of O'Donnell and Maguire marched from
Sliabh Oarbry to the Eiver Inny, and as they passed along they set the
country in a blaze, which became shrouded under a black and dense
cloud of smoke. They took Longford, and set fire to every side and
corner of it, so that it was only by a rope that Christopher Browne,
his brother, and their wives, were conveyed in safety from the prison
of which he was marshal."

This concludes the references in the Annals of the Four Masters

26 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGTOED.

relating to this county. As the readers will see, Annaly was invaded by
the Danes in the eighth, ninth, and tenth centuries, during which many
battles were fought on both the Danish and Irish side, principally in
Lough Ree and Lough Gowna. The creation of the two chieftaincies
in 1445, is dealt with so fully by the Annalists, that the extract given is
sufficient to . describe that eventful period which marked the beginning
of the end of native rule in Annaly.

In the year 1553 the goOd Queen Mary ascended the English
throne, and appointed as her principal lieutenant in Ireland the famous
Sir Henry Sidney, who first visited Annaly in 1553, and subsequently
had the ancient patrimony of the OTarrells styled the County
of Longford. No one who has read this history can find in any of the
extracts quoted a precedent for this action ; and, as we shall see, it
was the opening act of a drama, in which the unfortunate natives of
Annaly were the chief sufEerers.

I presimie it is now clear to the people of Longford that (1) it
formed at one time portion of the ancient kingdom of Ctenmacne, and
(2) that it was subsequently called Anghaile, which was in turn Angli-
cized Annaly, and was known by this title until the advent of Sir
Henry Sidney, as Queen Elizabeth's Lord Deputy, in 1570. I have dis-
covered in the State Papers of the years 1540 to 1580 a number of very
interesting extracts relating to his dealings with what I may truly
describe to be the unfortunate inhabitants of Annaly. Sir Henry
Sidney thus writes to the council at Dublin Castle, under date 1553 : —

"Between the Shannon and O'Eeilly's country is the Annale, a
strong country, where the Eerralls dwell, men of good obedience, who
pay yearly to the king 100 marks rent, and find 240 galloglas for a
quarter of the year after the rate of 4d. sterling the spear by the day.
Lately, in the absence of my Lord Deputy, I being there for the order
of their contentions, they obeyed my letters."

It would seem from this extract that Annaly was subjected by the
Tuites, &c., early in the thirteenth or fourteenth century, and that at
this period the Enghsh were able to levy blackmail on the inhabitants

HISTOKT OF THE COUNTY L0NGFOED. 27

of ,Annaly, wticli -was always open to the inroads of the enemy, not
being protected by any natural barriers, whose friendly aid the inhabi-
tants could use to advantage. In addition to this natural disadvantage
under which they laboured, we find them also labouring under a more
unnatural and decidedly more disastrous one, namely, that of disunion.
For, m 1445 (that is one hundred years before), " two chieftaincies had
been set up in Annaly," as the Four Masters tell us, and the quarrels
and dissensions which arose out of this state of things, of course largely
helped the invader in his evil purposes. What a moral does not the
treatment of our forefathers contain for us. Irishmen ? Let us examine
any phase of Irish history — let us search up to its source the true
reason of the failure of any combination against the progress of our
enemies, and we will find invariably that Irishmen themselves were
either to blame from ambitious causes, or were made the dupes of their
more cunning and less scrupulous opponents. The progress of Irish
industry, even ia those days, did not please the so-called Parliament
sitting in Dulelin ; for according to the State Papers for 1452, we find
that it was passed as a law : —

"Cap 3 — That no BngHsh merchant carry any goods or mer-
chandise to any of the merchants of Cavan, Granard, or any other Irish
county out of the English pale, or bring any goods from the said
marches, upon pain to forfeit the same goods, and their bodies to be at
the king's pleasure. It shall be lawful to any of the king's subjects to
attack or arrest such as attempt to do the contrary, and to commit
them to gaol. One moiety of the goods forfeited to be the king's ; the
other his that makes the seizure ; wine, ale, and bread always
excepted."

We now come to the time when the wholesale confiscations begin.
Sir Henry Sidney made a second tour of Ireland in 1570, and visited
, Annaly, which he erected into the County Longford,

According to the State Papers of Sir Henry Sidney's tour in Annaly
in 1670, we find it set forth : —

" On February 11th, 1670, the following indenture was made

28 HISTORY 01? THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

between the O'Farrells, of tlie County Longford, and Sir Henry Sidney,
President of the Council of Wales and Lord Deputy of Ireland, of the
one part ; and Faghne O'Farrell, otherwise called O'Farrell Bane, of
TuUy, in the County Longford, sometime called the Annale ; William
Fitzdonnell O'Farrall, of the Moat, John O'Farrell, of the Glane,
captain of WilHam's sept ; Donnell O'Farrell, of the Reen, now called
McMorge, in Tleeve ; Melaghhn O'Farrell, of Moneylogan ; Felyn Boye
O'Coyne, of the Brewne, called O'Coyne, and O'Donnell O'Farrell, of
Kilgrease, captain of Gillernow's sept in the said county, gentlemen, of
the other part.

" 1. The said Faghne O'Farrell, and the rest above-named, promise
and bargain to surrender in the Court of Chancery in Ireland to the
use of the Queen, when they shall be required to do so, all their pos-
sessions in the said country, sometimes called the Annally, and now
the County Longford ; and the Lord Deputy promises that they shall
receive the same by letters patent from the Queen, to hold to them and
their heirs for ever by Knight's service, and that they shall be exone-
rated from the Bonaught accustomed to be paid out of the said country
to the Queen's Gallowglasses, and from all other cesses and impositions.
In consideration thereof, they grant to the Lord Deputy and his heirs,
for the use of the Queen, and her successors, a yearly rent-charge of
200 marks, Irish, payable at the feasts of Michaelmas and Easter, from
Michaelmas next. For lack of money to be paid in the Exchequer,
the Treasurer or Receiver Greneral is to receive kine to the value of
the rent unpaid, as kine shall be worth, and sold in the market of
Athboye and Navan. If the rent be behind unpaid in part or in all by
the space of six months next after any of the said feasts, it shall be
lawful to the Lord Deputy, or to the Treasurer, or Receiver- General
to enter a distrain on all the lands.

" 2. They promise to answer to all general hostings, roads,
journeys, and risings out as they have been accustomed, and to
pay yearly for ever the ancient rent due to the Queen's Majesty
out of the said portion of the said country, now being under the

HISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONGPOED. 29

ride of the said Fahny Farrell, that is to say, 50 kine or 6s., Irish, for
every cow.

" 3. That the captainship of that portion of the said county called
Annalye, which heretofore had been used by the said OTerrall Bane,
shall from henceforth be utterly destroyed, abolished, extinguished,
removed, and put back within the said county for ever ; and that the
said Fahny OTerrall shall receive and take up by letters patent from
the Queen's Majesty for the term of his life, an authority in the said
county called Blentane, in the said County Longford, by the name and
stiles of Seneschal, and not otherwise, together with all such customs,
duties, and charges as has been accustomed to be yielded yearly, and
paid into the said Tague OTarrell, as captain of the said county, and
indorsed on the back of said indentures, and the said OTarrell not to
be removed from his captaincy till such time as he have in patent the
Seneschalship. After his death, hke letters patent to be made out to
one of the OTarrells within the said county, such as the governor for
the time being shall choose.

" 4. None shall be sergeant nor petty sergeant within the said
county but of the said county birth.

" 5. The said Seneschal shall apprehend all traitors, felons and
other malefactors, and commit them to the common shire gaol of the
said county, and prosecute them according to the laws. For this (his
travail) he shall have the moiety or half-hendel of the lands of persons
attainted, and of the goods and chattels of such felons as shall be exe-
cuted within his rule, the other moiety to remain to the Queen. The
Seneschal shall also have all frays, batteries and bloodshed that shall
happen within his rule, according as his predecessors have used to have
by the name of OTarrell.

" 6. The County of Longford shall henceforth pay yearly the sub-
sidy of 13s. 4d. yearly upon a ploughland, granted of late by Parliament
to the Queen, when it shall be divided into ploughlands. For the first
three years next after the division into ploughlands, wastes shall be
allowed as in other places of shire ground. The lands of the Geraldines

30 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

and Nugents and others of the English Pale, shall all be contributors,
and bear to the said Seneschal all such lawful customs and duties as
heretofore they used to receive by the names of captain or tanist. If
the same be obstinately refused, the Sheriff of the said county will
distrain.

" 7. None of the gentlemen freeholders, or others of the same county,
shall take any goods or chattels, one from the other, on any account, but
only for rent service, rent charge or damage f esant, and none of them to
seek to revenge their private quarrels, one upon another, for anything,
but by order of the Queen's laws or arbitraments, with consent of the
parties, upon pain of double the thing received to heirs quotiens, to him
or to them who shall so offend.

" 8. Neither the Seneschal nor Sheriff shall levy or exact upon
the said county any money, cattle or other things for expenses in
■ coming to the council and governor to Dublin or elsewhere in their own
private business, unless they be appointed by the said county for the
common profit thereof, and then such expenses as they shall have shall
be first condescended by the said county and afterwards cessed
indifferently.

" 9. The said county shall be discharged of soldier, horse, horse-
boy, and all other cesses and exactions, unless when they shall have
occasion to travel for the prince through that country.

" Sealed by the parties above-named, and signed and delivered in
the presence of Richard Tailor, Fergus OTerrall, Richard Staine and
William MacDonnell, 11th February, 1570."

It would be well for the reader to carefully study the nine articles
under which the O'Farrells surrendered their lands, and to observe
how those articles were subsequently upheld. It would be also well to
remark here, that in order to create disunion all the more readily
amongst the inhabitants of Annaly, Sir Henry Sidney elevated one
family to the chieftaincy, whilst, as will be seen, his successors elevated
a different family, and hence the creation of a clan feud which placed
the O'Farrells at the entire mercy of the invader.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONOFORD. 31

, After having carefully perused the foregoing articles, the reader
will perceive that the so-called Seneschalship was to be vested first in
Faghney Farrell, and afterwards to be elective amongst the other chief-
tains of the name in the county. "We shall soon see how, after Sir
Henry Sidney had bargained thus with the chieftains, Sir John Perrot,
whose name is well known in the pages of Irish history, set this
arrangement aside, and in order still further to place the deluded
owners at his mercy, set up a chieftain, whose claim was forcibly dis-
puted by the rest of the name. In 1571 the following indenture was
signed by all the OTarrells : —

" Indenture betwixt Sir Henry Sidney of the one part, and Faghy
O'Ferrall, otherwise called O'Ferrall Baye, of the Pallise, in the County
of Longford, sometime called the Annale, Kedagh O'Ferrall of Eahara-
vey, Fergus O'Ferrall, of the Bawn, Edmund O'Ferrall, of Criduffe,
Irriel O'Ferrall, son to the said O'Ferrall, of Mornin, Teige Duffe
McCormicke O'Ferrall, of the Killyn Crubock (Killeen Legan),
O'Ferrall, of, the Camace, Bryan McRory O'Ferrall, of Drumvinge,
Shane M'Grarrot O'Farrall, of the Corrigeen, Tirrelagh O'Barden of
Drombishen, Wm. O'Bardan, of the same, Eory Mackrose O'Farrell, of
Kilmacshane, Teige Bay O'Ferrall, of Tyrlicken, Iriell Mac William
O'Farrell, of Ballyishaun, Bryan McHebbard O'Ferrall, of Kilmacom-
moge, Murrough McDonnell O'Farrell, of Athadonnell, Eosse MacDon-
nell O'Farrell, of Ballyringan, Moragh McTeige O'Farrell, of Bally-
clare, Cathal McHebbard Farrell, of Devyclyne, Murcho McOonyck
O'Ferrall, of Corrigglagain, Euran McG-errot O'Ferrall, of Clonfower,
Teige Duffe O'Ferrall, of the same, Connell MacShane O'Ferrall, of
Drommeded, Grillernewe MacFaghne O'Farrell, of Eaclyne, Cowke
McHebbard O'Ferrall, Bellallyng, Felem MacDonnell O'Ferrall, of
Keramkeyll, Connor MacEossa O'FarroU, of Cashell, Beage Hebbard
MacEossa O'FarroU, of Furkeyll;, Teige McMoryarty O'FarroU, of
Cornyll, Jeffry Oge O'FarroU, of Cornageurk, Moyertagh O'FarroU, of
Liveny, Hugh McDonogh O'FarroU, o'f the Carygn, Shane McDonnell
O'FarroU McDonnell, of the Curry, Felem O'Ouyne, of the Arcwranake,

32 DISTORT OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

Jeffry O'Cuyne, of Rathcline, William M'Donkey O'Farroll, of Dare-
more, Donnell McCoUe OTarroU, of Crulaghte, in tlie said county,
gentlemen, of the other part.

" The said Faghna OTarrell and the rest above named covenant to
surrender in the Court of Chancery in Ireland to the use of the Queen,
■when they thereunto shall be required, all their possessions in this
country, sometime called the Annally and now the County of Longford,
with the like covenants and conditions as in the former indentures are
mentioned."

This is the consequent document of the previous one, and, in my
opinion, was framed so as to render the articles therein contracted for
open to suspicion, by subsequent deputies, who could, of course, more
easily question the validity of two than one document. The reader will
perceive by it that in this case the surrender was made without any
such stipulations as were made in the first one.

On April 27th, 1576, Lord Deputy Sidney wrote : —

" As to Annalye, or O'Ferrall's country, and East Brenye (BrefEny),
or O'Eeille's country, they all attended upon me during my abode in the
Counties of Roscommon and Westmeath. At my being at Athlone I
sent commissioners thither to hold sessions. This country was made
shire ground by me by the name of the County Longford, and the chief
lords are bound to pay 400 marks by the year of increase of revenue,
whereof albeit they were in arrear for several years, yet immediately
upon my demand they paid part, and took short days for the payment
of the rest."

"1588, December 2.— A grant made to Faghna O'Ferrall, of the
Palace, County Longford, alias O'Ferrall Bay, and his heirs, of divers
la,nds, tenements and hereditaments, in the townlands of Moybravain,
Clanawly, Clangillemewe, Mountirgelgan, Callon, and elsewhere, in the
County Longford."

This grant was the beginning of the dispute between the O'Ferralls,
because here is given to another family that which Sir Henry Sidney
previously gave to the O'Ferralls, of TuUy, and was in direct violation
of one of the articles of the indenture.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOBD. 33

July 15, 1588. — Lord Deputy Fitzwilliam wrote to the Privy Council
that coiaplaints "were made by the chiefest geutlemen of O'Farrell Boy's
country, the indenture made ia Sir Henry Sidney's deputation not to
be infringed by the patent which the present O'Faxrell Boy has sent his
son Iriell to have confirmed in England.

Kedah O'Ferrall, Connell O'Ferrall and others wrote to Queen
Elizabeth against Faghna O'Farrell and Iriell, his son, who seek the
confirmation of a patent contrary to an agreement made by Sir Henry
Sidney between Faghna, Iriell and all the other O'Farrells for the quiet
government of the County Longford.

In 1588 it was " objected against Sir John Perrot " that —

" He hath lately within this twelvemonth passed a patent under the
great seal of Ireland to Faghnagh O'Farrell, Iriell OFarrell, his son, and
their heirs, of certain lands, as also the Seneschalship in the County of
Longford, which patent is very prejudicial to Kedagh O'Farrell, and a
number of others besides, and contrary to certain indentures passed in the
tenth year of Her Majesty between both the septs of the O'Farrells and
Sir Henry on Her Majesty's behalf, by which indenture after the death of
the said Faghna, the Senesclial is to be nominated by the Lord Deputy
from any of the name O'Farrell during his Hfe only. This is likely to
cause great disquietness in the O'Ferrall's country." The cause of the
dispute from this extract would seem to be that the Seneschalship was
at first vested in Faghne O'Ferrall for his lifetime; and after his death the
office was not to be hereditary, but to be given to any other of the name
O'Ferrall. The wily Sir John Perrot, well knowing the fiery tempera-
ment and proud disposition of the Irish chieftains, conferred the office
on Faghne's son, which immediately set the country aflame, and was the
means of giving the invader a stronger hand over it. This has always
been the invader's best card to play, because when he had set the Irish
against each other, he knew their enmity was enough to leave him,
nothing more to wish for.

We now come to the advent of the informer on the scene in the
person of one Patrick Fox, who (like the vulture that hovers over

34 HISTOET OP THE COUNTY lONGPOKD.

the battlefield) scenting the plunder, which by clever and artful lying
might be his, approaches the Lord Deputy and council with plausible
tales of the treachery and treason of the O'Perralls. From the context
it appears that this -Fox was either a lawyer or a scrivener of some
description, and that having no recourse with which to earn an honest
living but on the ruin of honest men, took to this method to build up
for himself and his successors a name and a fame in the country. A
poor name and fame, indeed, is such !

On January 28th, 1589, Patrick Fox, of Dublin, wrote to Lord
"Walshingham inter alia : —

" One Hubert O'Ferrall, son to Fergus O'Ferrall, him that with-
stands the patent of Mr. O'Farrell, now in England, had been lately
with Feagh MacHugh O'Byrne, and had of him a chief horse, and is
with a great number of idle knaves ranging up and down the County of
Longford, and meaneth to do some mischief to some of Her Majesty's
subjects there."

On February 4th, 1589, the sept of the O'Farrells wrote to "Walsh-
ingham, praying " that in case it be not meant to refer the determining
of the controversy between them and Iriell O'Farrell for the captaincy
of Annally, they may have license to repair to England with their evi-
dences, Iriell O'Farrell not to be made sheriff,"

1589. ' February 13th. — Sir Henry Harrington'wrote to Lord "Walsh-
ingham, informing him that one of Fergus O'Farrell's sept is now at the
court a suitor for the captaincy of Annally. " Fergus O'Farrell has
been always ready and willing to serve Her Majesty, and has had the good
opinion of all governors. General report says the right is in Fergus
and in the rest of his sept according to the compositions made in the
time of Sir Henry Sidney."

Memorandum. — The controversy between the O'Farrells to be
referred to the Lord Deputy with advice for the division of Annaly.

March 31, 1589.—" The matter of the O'Farrells groweth daily
worse and worse."

April 29, 1589. — Walshingham to Burghely — "Wishing the

'- * '^

^%ai

?TSt.

n
Pi

R

HJSTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 37

O'Farrells to be satisfied and contented lest the action of the governors
and council be discredited when people perceive that matters of this
weight having been, upon good deliberation, concluded and established
by one deputy for a public good, shall afterwards be dissolved and
disannulled by another for the benefit of any private family."

June 24. — "The O'Farrells of Tenelike wrote to Burghely that
their agent, Edward Nagle, may be returned in safety with the despatch
of their suit."

June 24. — " Petition of Bfiward Nangle to Burghely that the patent
lately granted of certain lands to O'Farrell Boy may be speedily
revoked."

October 24th, 1589. — Patrick Fox, of Dublin, wrote to Lord Walsh-
ingham a letter containing, the following " articles of treason and dis-
loyalties committed by Fergus O'Farrell and his adherents to the pre-
judice of the state, as shall be sufficiently proved" : —

" ] . When O'Eorke received the Spaniards into his protection, he
sent Fergus O'Farrell a fair Spanish cloak of great value, and a pair of
gilt spurs, which were very thankfully received by the said Fergus in
the said dangerous time in which O'Eourke was in rebellion.

" 2. He sent letters and messages daily to O'Eourke, and gave him
intelligence of the movements of the Queen's troops whilst O'Eorke
was in rebellion.

" 3. A priest named Connor O'Kenny often took messages between
O'Eourke and Fergus, and with a view to join O'Eourke's daughter in
marriage with Hubert, his son.

" 4. He advised and caused O'Eorke not to come ' to the Lord
Deputy upon the safe conduct which the Lord Deputy sent by Sir
Henry Harrington and Lord Thomas Lestrange.

"6. He received a letter from O'Eourke by the hands of Cahil
Keogh, one of O'Eorke's footmen, and a follower of Fergus's wife.

" 6. He sent Bryan McMortagher, a priest brought up in his house,
to Spain for some bad purpose, and afterwards he also sent his son, Brian
O'Farrell, to Spain.

D

38 HISTOEY OP THE COUNTY LONGPOED,

" 7. He sent a harp as a token to Feagh MacHugh, by one Eioliard
O'Quinn, a priest, well knowing MacHugli to be a bad member.

" 8. The said Fergus's son, called Hubert MacFergus, repaired to
Feagh MacHugh, and remained with him a week to establish friendship
betwixt Feigh and O'Eorke and his own father. At his deparure the
received a dog from Feigh MacHugh and a chief horse as a bond of his
devotion, which horse, with eight others, was forcibly and feloniously
taken with much goods and other cattle from Hugh Duffe, one of the
Earl of Ormonde's tenants, about 14 days before, at which time Feigh
MacHugh sought Hugh Duffe to kill him.

" 9. The said Fergus being High Sheriff of the County Longford,
went to the house of Bryan O'Reilly, and became his gossip, he knowing
O'Eeilly to be a notorious traitor, whose overthrow was sought for by the
State, as may appear by the £20 that was paid for cutting off his head.
"10. It is to be , remembered that in Ireland there is no greater
proof of friendship than to become the gossip of any man.

"11. Fergus and his sons were of great acquaintance and familiarity
with the traitor, Hugh Eoe O'Donnell, and while he was prisoner in
the Castle of Dublin they often visited him, and after his escape
Fergus sent him messages by his servant, Cormack O'Hanly. For this
Cormack received a large horse from the said Hugh, and he called it
O'Donnell, and having brought the said horse to the house of Fergus,
the Sheriff of Longford requested Fergus to keep Cormack prisoner till
the Lord Deputy did send for him, but Fergus would neither deliver
him to the said sheriff nor keep him in his castle ; but thinking that he
might escape from the sheriff, sent him out of his castle with his sword
and target, and willed him not to submit himself to the said sheriff, but
rather revenge his death, whereupon the sheriff pursued him, and was
shot by a bullet."

October 29, 1589.— The sept of the O'Farrells— Kedagh Connell and
Fergus — wrote to Burghely for licence to prosecute their cause against
Iriell O'Farrell in England, or have a hearing in Ireland. ,

October 31, 1589. — The sept of the O'Farrells wrote to Walshing-

HISTORY OF THE COUNTT LONGPOBD. 39

ham, asking that the cause between them and Iriell Q'Farrell may be
referred to Lord Deputy and Council, or that they may be licensed to
go over to England to prosecute the same at court; but their agent was
intimidated and driven away by J. William Mostyn.

December 15. — In a docket of Irish suits that of the O'Farrells
occurs.

December 22. — The Privy Council wrote to the Lord Deputy to
license Fergus O'Parrell to repair over to England about the difference
between him and Iriell.

1590. Letter from Sir Lucas Dillon to Sir John Perrott, informing
him that Fergus O'Parrell is Sheriff of Longford for this year. Sir
Lucas was Lord Chief Justice about this time.

February 20. — A letter from the Lord Deputy, informing the Council
that Fergus O'Parrell will repair over to England to answer Iriell
O'Parrell in the end of March.

March 26. — The Baron of Delvin wrote to Burghely, commending
Fergus O'Parrell to him as one inclined to civility and good life.

April 10, 1589. — Letter from Queen Elizabeth ordering O'Parrell
Boy, and Iriell, his son, to be strengthened in their position by a
regrant on surrender.

April 18. — Letter from Gerald Birn to Sir John Perrot, informing
him how Fergus O'Parrell's son and another horseman, well furnished
with armour, and a harper riding upon a hackney with them, tarried
certain days at the house of the traitor, Feagh Mac Hugh 0' Byrne.

About same date a petition was received from Iriell O'Parrell,
asking the Privy Council to forbear ordering anything against the
O'Farrells, his adversaries, till he be made privy and heard.

December. — Iriell O'Pai-rell, of Mornyne, asks that £40 per annum
be settled on him for sixty years, as his estates have reverted to Sir
Nicholas Aylmer and Sir Patrick Barnewall, also a letter from Sir J.
Perrot, recommending the tanistries to be abolished, and citing the
O'Farrells' cases.

In 1590 the cases instituted by the O'Farrells against the jurisdiction

40 HTSTOBY 0"P THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

bestowed by Sir Henry Sidney on Fagbney OTarrell and Iriell, bis i
son, against wbicb tbey rebelled, baving been submitted to tbe Lord
Delvin, he reported on lOtb May, 1590, as follows :— " Tbe O'Farrells .
never enrolled tbe indenture between tbemselves and Sir Henry Sidney.
Tbey never surrendered tbeir lands according to tbe covenant made
20 years past, but beld them by the tanist and captaincy granted
by Sidney. As the indenture ties none but those that be living, I doubt
much whether the grant to Mr. Malby be good enough or not.
It is covenanted in Sir Henry's indenture that the Lord Deputy
may grant an estate to them and their heirs of such lands as tbey
will surrender. In the grant made by me I have performed that
covenant, so that all who allege that I have varied from that cove-
nant are much deceived, and I am greatly misused in the report of the
Deputy's letters. I see no reason why the rest of the O'Farrells now
living, and privy to the indenture, may not surrender their lands as
O'Farrell Bane and Faghny O'Farrell (Boy) have done, notwithstanding
anything in my patent to the Faghny. Where they say that they saw
O'Farrell Bane, who surrendered his lands at one time with the said
Faghny O'Farrell, being the greater lord of both, against whom nothing
is said, and the said Faghny, with the rest of the O'Farrells, do pay
£200 sterling yearly to her Majesty, they pay the said £200 now to
Malby ; but the same is gotten with great difl&culty, for I made many
warrants whilst I governed there to the sheriffs to distrain them with
force for the payment thereof, and they got from her Majesty above 500 '
marks yearly when they granted to pay her Majesty the said £200 ; for
the O'Farrells were bound to find her Majesty 200 galliglasses for a
certain time, whereby her Majesty gained nothing by that covenant, but
lost. Faghny was appointed captain by Sidney, and was afterwards to
become seneschal of bis county, but I never thought fit to perform
that covenant. No captain or seneschal should be appointed, because
they have justices, sheriffs, and other ofl&cers. Fergus has no reason to
find himself grieved, as Kedagh is before him ; nor either of them so
long as Faghny O'Farrell is alive. To find fault to my letters patent

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 41

to Faglmy would be a dangerous example. When they were issued we
could not get a sight of the said indenture, which was consequently
exempted from their influence."

Thus we see that whilst Fergus OTarrell was supported by the
Lord Delvin, Iriell, the son of Faghne, who was first seneschal, was
supported by the lying tales of Fox. This is a pretty medley of affairs,
to find two Irish chieftains fighting against each other for a mere empty
honour, and backed each by the deceitful and pretended support of two
Saxon adherents. Later on we shall see how both Fox and Delvin had
the spoil, in the shape of large grants of land taken from the very men
they encouraged to fight on !

1591. September 21. — Sir Richard Bingham writes to the Privy
Council informing them that he " has been requested to give his opinion
of Eory O'Farrell and his brother, Iriell, who is now in England.
Their adversaries are Lisagh O'Farrell, the Bishop of Ardagh, and
Fergus O'FarreU. The former has always been dutiful in her Majesty's
service since Sir Nicholas Malby's time, whilst the latter have been
severally accused and touched both before and after his banishment."

In certain accusations made against Sir Robert DiUon, Chief Justice
of the Common Pleas in 1693, several references are made to Longford.
One of these is of Christopher Brown, who escaped from Longford
when it was burned by Red Hugh O'Donnell in 1595. From in-
formations dehvered to the Lord Deputy and Council on 13th
August, 1593, by an informer, named Shawn McCongawny, the
following references to the town and neighbourhood of Longford
appear : —

" This is the service which I have opened against Sir Robert Dillon,
that O'Rourke sent the constable of Longford, Christopher Brown, to
Sir Robert Dillon and Sir Lucas DiUon, to know what course they
would advise him to hold, or whether they were able to do him good,
and to espy about the Lord Deputy and Council what disposition they
bare to him. And John Garland related to the Lords of Delvin and
Howth, in the Easter term, 1593, that 'when I was sent from Sir John

42 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

Perrot witli letters to O'Rourke, by the direction of lier Majesty's Privy
Council in England — within a month or two after my arrival here^I
set forward upon that service attended by my brother, Richard Garland,
and my horseboy, Eichard Neile; and being; come as far as Mr. Rory
O'Farrall's house in the Annally, he sent one with me to be my guide.
Having travelled so far as to the wood beyond Longford, we overtook
three men on foot, whereof one carried a bottle of aqua Yitse, the other
a small barrel of gunpowder, and the third, who wore a hat (query, had
the others no hats ?) bore in the skirt of his mantle some heavy things
which to our seeming should be lead. We made no long tarrying with
those fellows, misdoubting the danger of the way by reason that
O'Rourke was not long before fallen into rebellion. This was on
Tuesday, and we held our way towards O'Rourke, to whom we came
the morrow after upon Loughguire. Upon Thursday the three men'
arrived also ; and being at dinner, O'Rourke called out for Christopher
Browne's men, whereof he that carried the gunpowder stood up and
answered.' " '

Sir W. Russell's Journal. — 1597. February 6th. — Fergus O'Farrell
sent in the heads of Farrell O'Bawne's son, and another rebel.

1597. June 20th. — The Lord of Delvin sent in one of the O'Farrells,
a notable rebel, who was taken and wounded by the Nugents. He died
of his wounds.

1597. September 6th. — The Lord of Delvin sent in three of the

O'Farrells' heads.

********

In the year 1603 James I. ascended the English throne. Bad as
were the persecutions under which the Irish suffered up to that, they
were nothing to what followed during his rule. He had not been long
on the throne before that remorseless system of confiscation for which
his reign is famous in Irish history was planned. The following extracts
will show how it was carried out. Nothing that plotting could devise
was left undone to afford the necessary excuse to the royal robber. He
first ordered a survey of the lands of Ireland to be made, in the report
of which Longford figures as follows : —

HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 43

July 6, 1606. — Eeturn of chargeable and free lands in the County
Longford. — " Com. Longford. — I find as well by the view of some records
as by mine own experience and knowledge in part, as also by the con-
ference and consent of some of best antiquity and knowledge of the
county, that there are 700 cartrons and upwards of chargeable lands in
the County Longford, and near 200 cartrons of free land ; and that the
quantity of the land of these cartrons is very uncertain — some of them
containing 30 acres of arable land, some 25 acres, some 15 and some 10
acres, and some less, besides bog and mountain ; and that every one of
the cartrons aforesaid are in respect of the rents and services payable
to the Manor of Granard, and to Mr. Malby, who is charged with
10s. 6d. old money, besides his Majesty's rent." — Datum at Dublin,
6th July, 1606.

" Having examined the complaint of Rosse and Brian O'Farrell, and
others of their kindred and name of the sept of O'Farrell Bane, against
a grant made unto the Baron of Delvin and the lady dowager, his
mother, of certain lands possessed by them before their attainders in
the County of Longford, they have now at last, after much debating of
the matter, prevailed with the Lord of Delvin and his mother volun-
tarily to surrender all, one patent, which is cancelled, containing not
only the OTarrells' escheated lands in fee-simple within the said county,
but also certain divers other parcels of lands in the 'Counties of Cavan
and Longford, besides some 'of their own ancient inheritance, and pur-
chased lands in fee-simple within the said counties, which they had
since rendered up and taken again of his Majesty, reserving thereon
a small rent, the better to assure to themselves a better protection
against the O'Farrells and all others. Some other parcels of the
O'Farrells' lands which they had passed in another patent, which
parcels they have by deed surrendered, so that all of the O'Farrells'
lands granted unto them are now resumed and revested to His Majesty.

"Their lordships understand for what consideration his Majesty
was pleased to pass to the Lady Delvin and the Baron, her son, in fee-
farm for ever, so much escheated and concealed lands in Meath, West-

44 HISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

meath, Cavan, and Longford, at their election, as should amount to the
clear yearly rent of three score of pounds of lawful money of England,
above all reprisals; but they think it their duty to set down what they
find in this particular of the O'Farrells' lands. The lands passed by
the Lord and Lady of Delvin, although surveyed at £21 per annum,
contain a great scope and extent of land in that country ; and they
further learn from the Lord of Delvin that there remains yet a good
portion of the said OTarrells' lands which may be reduced by the
Crown by their attainders, though hitherto there hath been no inquisi-
tion taken thereof, and is not included within their grants, but is yet at
his Majesty's disposition. It is alleged that both Eosse and Brian
claim more lands by far than ever properly belonged to them or their
ancestors, and that they aspire to a greatness and superiority over their
rest, after the manner of lords of this country. We think this necessary
to be prevented. The disproportioil between the lords of counties and
the rest of the King's poorer subjects that dwelt under them, is the cause
of all the disorders and jars that have at any time, or ever will happen
in this realm. Wherefore, if his Majesty shall restore to these
O'Farrells any part of the said lands, provision should be made that
they, together with some other inhabitants there of best quality, shall
repossess only such portion of lands in freehold as any of them now
living were repossessed of before the wars, and no more. And the rest
of the lands whose owners are dead or slain in rebellion, or otherwise
extinguished, shall remain to the Baron of Delvin, and his mother, to
fill up their book withal, or otherwise to be disposed of to persons of
best merits. We may not forget to say that Rosse O'Farrell, in the time
of the late rebellion, had conveyed his interests in that country unto
Connocke O'Bawn, the Earl of Tyrone's brother, and made him absolute
lord thereof if their general design had succeeded ; and this voluntary,
without any compulsion on his part, or fear- of the rebels, whereby it
appears how worthy such a one is tO repossess the land which he had
yielded up so readily to the enemy of the Crown.

" For this reason, and for the consideration of the great cost incurred

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 45

by the Lady of Delvin and the Baron, her son, in possessing these lands,
as may appear by the enclosed petition, at least of that land which they
so much affect (cherish) — feeling confident that they shall deserve the
same when there will be occasion to serve his Majesty — the rest they
leave to the Baron's own relation.

" Signed by Privy Council, and enclosing petition from the Delvins
for compensation for the OTarrells' land which they had yielded up to
the King."

In May, 1611, the Lord Deputy asked the Solicitor-General for Ire-
land " (1) how much of the Farrells' land in the County Longford could
be passed to the Baron of Delvin. The latter replied that no lands
could be passed to him. (2) How much land are they to re-obtain other
than that mentioned in Lord Delvin's book ? — All the residue, except such
as is required for the better establishing of the county. (3) To whom
shall the lands escheated be granted ? — To the ancient possessors, and the
Lord Deputy and Council are to take care to give them contentment."

"We have seen up to this the very disgraceful intrigue carried on by
Lord Delvin on the one hand, and Patrick Fox on the other, whereby
Iriel O'Farrell's claims to the seneschalship of the county were disputed
by Fergus O'Farrell and all the others of the name in the county. We
can also gather from the extracts before us that both parties proceeded
to England to have their respective claims decided upon by her
Majesty's Privy Council. Thus matters went on between both sides,
neither being content at the other's success, until 1603, when the Queen
died, and James I. succeeded, and when "the wholesale confiscation"
mentioned commenced. Then it was that the intrigues of Delvin and
Fox were successful ; and too late the unfortunate ignorant chieftains
saw their possessions handed over to the very men who had been
encouraging them to fight on. It was the old story of the dogs fighting
over the bone which the third party walks in and carries off without a
struggle. The following record will show the true state of affairs about
the year 1607, after which will be found a petition against the grants
made at the expense of the litigant chiefs : —

46 , HISTORY OF THE OOHNTT LONGFORD,

" 1607. July leth.— The King wrote to Sir ArthurChicliester, Lord
Deputy, as follows: — 'The controversy long depending between the Baron
of Delvin and the O'Farrells being now ripe for settlement, by reason of
the entire lands being in his Majesty's hands through the surrender made
by the said Baron and his mother, the King declares it to be his wish
generally as regards the OTarrells, that they and some of the chief
inhabitants shall repossess such portions of the lands as they held before
the war in freehold at the rents payable before the rebellion, and for the
Lord of Delvin and his mother, in consideration of their surrender and
of a former promise, escheated lands are to be found in Meath, West-
meath, Cavan or Longford, to the value of £60 a-year ; and for some
recompense of their hopes by their late suit he is to have lands of the
value of £20 yearly for ever in fee-farm, which was the value of the
OTarrell's lands passed to him in his book, and now surrendered, and also
£7 yearly more of his warrants unfilled, and an increas,e of £20 yearly
more, amounting in all to £48 of lands; and if he will he may have as
part thereof any of the lands in OTarrell's country which are not to be
restored to Eosse or Bryan O'Parrell and their name, but belonged to
men slain in rebellion, paying the King, however, such rents as upon
survey shall be thought meet.

" 'Datum apud Westminster, 16th July, in the fifth of our reign.' "

1607. — The humble petition of Rosse OTarrell, called O'Farrell
Bawn, and of Bryan O'Ferrall, against the claims of Lady Dowager
Delvin and the new Baron —

" Praying for letters patent to them and their kinsmen of the lands
in the County Longford.

" The O'Farrells state that they have been, chiefly through Lord
Delvin's procurement, attainted and outlawed under the late Queen ;
Lord Delvin (having) sought to obtain their lands by virtue of a grant
of lands value £100 per annum, by her late Majesty."

" The O'Farrells submitted to the State under promise of pardon an4
remission of forfeiture ; nevertheless, the Lord Delvin having died, the
present Lord Delvin and his mother have obtained a warrant to pass to

HISTORY OF THE COTINTY LONGFORD. 47

them tlie lands, their lands being, with the OTarrells', lands, half the
Comity Longford. On the O'Farrells objecting. Lord Delvin appeared
willing to take lands of like value elsewhere. The King having ordered
that Lord Delvin's patent should be cancelled, and the O'Farrells
restored, the Lord Deputy and Council cited Lord Delvin, and having
heard him, recommended the renewal of his patent under certain amend-
ments; and after some further litigation it was ordered that a scire,
facias should issue to prove the invalidity of Lord Delvin's patent."

" On this order the position of the O'Farrells now is—" That as they
suppose the Lord Delvin hath passed two patents since the King's
coming of several parcels of the O'Farrells' lands, they may have a fieri
facias (inquiry) against the one as against the other — otherwise, the one
patent being overthrown, they have no remedy against the other. That
as his Majesty's first letter to the Lord Deputy was upon information
that Lord Delvin would surrender, directing the Deputy upon that sur-
render to pass the lands to the O'Farrells — now he having refused to do
so, but standing upon the vahdity of his patent in law, the O'Farrells
may have another letter with more suflB.cient assurance to authorize the
Lord Deputy to pass the lands to them upon the overthrow of the Lord
Delvin's patent. That his Majesty would please to signify his pleasure
that the O'Farrells, with their kindred, be restored in blood the next
Parliament to be holden in the realm.

" Dated December 5, 1607."

" In the previous month of June, the Lord Delvin went into England,
when the Archbishop of Dublin gave him a letter to Lord Salisbury,
recommending him to him, and informing him that when Lord Delvin
was joined to Ormond, Rosse O'Farrell, who is now in England, having
revolted from his duty, being demanded what moved him to enter into
that desperate course, had nothing to answer or excuse, but that he had
given up all his lands to Cormocke, Tyrone's brother."

"January 27, 1609. — James O'Farrell being in London on behalf of
his estate and other poor inhabitants in Ireland, and being impeded in
his moveme!^ts in that behalf by the heirs and executors of Sir Nicholas

48 HISTOEX OF THE COUNTY LONGEOED,

Malby, and also Sir Francis Shaen, presents a petition to Lord Salisbury,
showing that the inhabitants of the County Longford are heavily
charged for beeves and taxes, and having already paid £400 out of
£600 arrearages, prays that the King may be pleased to discharge further
arrearages and growing rents, and promising to yield to the King as
much as will be yielded out of any ploughland in Ireland."

Things went from bad to worse with the unfortunate inhabitants of
Annaly, during which ten years slowly rolled by, until the scheme which
James had long conceived to totally confiscate the lands of Ireland was
complete, as the following article, appearing in the Dublin Review of
1846, on a then recent work by Thomas Carlyle, will show : — " The
king, elated with his success in Ulster, determined to extend his paternal
spoliation to the other parts of the kingdom. On this occasion it was not
necessary to forge a plot. The new and more ingenious device of
pleading the king's title td all the land in the kingdom was resorted
to. . . . All grants of the Crown from 1307 to 1495, embracing
nearly two centuries, were eesijmed by Parliament, and the lands of all
absentees and of all that had been expelled by the Irish, were, by various
Acts, again vested in the Crown, which impeached neaelt evbey geant
of land made previous, to 1600. . . Discoveeees were everywhere
busily employed in finding out men's titles to their estates. In 1614
James issued a Special Commission to Lord Deputy Sir Alexander
Chichester, to inquire into his title in the King's and Queen's Counties,
and in those of Longford, Leitrim, and Westmeath, the result being the
seizure by the Crown of 385,000 acres. This confiscation was carried
on with such inhumanity, that in the small County of Longford twenty-
five of one sept alone (the OTarrells) were deprived of their estates
without any compensation whatever, or any means of subsistence being
assigned them."

The following extracts have been taken from Dr. Erck's edition of
the Patent Rolls of James I. From the previous few extracts
the reader has learned that " the work of devastation was begun." The
extracts to follow will show how it was completed. Nothing in the

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED 49

wliole course of the history of our county will repay attentive perusal
more fully than these few extracts. The names of the townlands con-
fiscated, the old owners and the new planters, will afford the reader a
pleasant study in tracing the famihes in the same place at the presentj
day. We will preface the extracts with the full text of the commission
issued to Sir Alexander Chichester and the rest, directing them how to
proceed in the laudable mission of their royal master.

" 1620. — Commission directed to Ohver St. John, Knt., Lord Deputy ;
Sir Adam Loftus, Chancellor ; Christopher, Primate of Armagh ; Arthur
Lord Chichester, High Treasurer; Richard Lord Powerscourt, Marshal of
the Army; Sir Arthur Savage, Knt., Vice-Treasurer; Sir Henry Doccura,
Knt., Treasurer at Wars ; Sir William Jones, Knt., Chief Justice King's
Bench; Sir Dominick Sarsfield, Knt., Chief Justice Common Pleas ; Sir '
William Methwolld, Knt., Chief Baron Exchequer ; Sir Francis Aungier,
Knt., Master of the Rolls; Sir Toby Caulfield, Master of the Ordnance; Sir
John King, Knt., Muster Master General ; Sir Dudley Norton, Knt., and
Sir Francis Annesley, Principal Secretaries of State iu Ireland, and Sir
Thomas Hibbotts, Knt., Chancellor of the Exchequer, all for the time
being ; and to the Bishops of Meath and Raphoe, Sir James Balfour,
Knt., Sir HiTgh Montgomery, Knt., and Sir James Hamilton, Knt., Com-
missioners ; seven to be a quorum, whereof the Deputy, Chancellor,
Primate, High Treasurer, Lord Powerscourt, Bishop of Meath, Chief
Justices, Chief Baron, Muster Master Greneral, and Principal Secretaries,
to be five, and the Lord Deputy to be always one.

" Whereas in the right of our Crown, the lands in the County of Long-
ford, and territory of Ely O'CarroU, in this our Kingdom of Ireland, are
lawfully come unto us. We, as well in regard of our zeal to Almightie
G-od, which in the whole course of our government hath been and is our
chief est care, as our gratious and tender respect to this kingdom, where
we desire that civility and goodness should be known and imbraced by
those which as yet are ignorant thereof, have resolved to conferr a fourth
part of the said lands upon such British vindertakers as shall be conform-
able to the religion established in the churches of our other kingdoms.

50 HISTOET 01" THE COUNTT LONGFORD.

and every way dutiful and obedient to our laws ; yet have we not for
these pretenses, how fair soever, any purpose to leave our other subjects,
the ancient inhabitants of those parts, destitute of sufl&cient means to
support them according to their several qualities and degrees, as may
appeare by the favorable regard we have had of the better sort of them
in our instructions for that plantation, and the large quantity of the said
lands, which, for the convenient settling of all of them in generall, we
have been pleased to assign unto them, and to the end that our royal
intentions and directions concerning the said plantation may be the
better performed, know ye, that we, reposing special trust and confi-
dence in your care, diligence, and circumspection, have assigned and
appointed you to be our Commissioners of the said plantation of the said
County of Longford, and territory or country of Ely 0' Carroll, and by
these presents we doe give and grant full power and absolute authoritie
to you, or any seaven or more of you, whereof you, the Deputie, Chan-
cellor, Primate, High Treasurer, Viscount Powerscourt, Bishop of
Meath, Chief Justices, Chief Baron, Muster Master General, and
Principal Secretaries for the time being, to be five, and our Deputie
for the time being to be always one, during our pleasure to dispose and
make severall effectuall grants from us, our heirs and successors in due
forme of lawe, by the advise of some of our learned counsell there, by
letters patents under the Great Seale of this our realme of Ireland, unto
such person and persons, natives and undertakers, their heirs and
assignes, according to the tenor and effect of our letters, signed with
our royal hand, and dated at Rufford, the eighth day of August last past,
and according to the instructions in that behalfe shall receave from us,
or the Lords of our Privy Counsel in England, or otherwise, as you or
any seaven or more of you, as aforesaid, in your discretions shall think
fit, for the better settlement of the said plantation, and likewise signed
with our royal hand, of all the lordships, manors, castles, lands, tene-
ments, rents, and hereditaments whatsoever, within the said Countie of
Longford, and country of Ely O'Carroll, and under such rents, tenures,
services, conditions, and covenants, as by our said instructions are

HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 51

appointed. And we do hereby further give unto you, the said Sir Oliver
St. John, Knight, our Deputie Grenerall, and to everie other Deputie for
the time being, and the other before-mentioned persons, which hereafter
for the time shall be, our full power and absolute authority to hear and
determine all such questions, doubts, and controversies, as shall from
time to time arise or grow concerning our said intended plantation, or
the lands within the same, either in generall or particular, according to
your discretions, and to take special care and order from time to time,
as occasion shall be offered, that no trial be had by course of law or
equity to the crossing or prejudice of our said now intended plantation,
but only before you, our said Commissioners, or any seaven or more of
you as aforesaid. And we do also hereby give full power and authority
to you, or any seaven or more of you as aforesaid, to give present order
and direction to our excheators, and all others whom it may concern,
that no offices be found or returned of any lands within the said County
of Longford, and country of Ely 0' Carroll, which shall or may hinder
and impeach the credit of any office or offices already found, or to be
found, entitling us to the said lands. And further, we do hereby
authorize you, or any seaven or more of you as aforesaid, to do and
perform all other things tending to the advancement and settlement of our
said plantation from time to time, according to the instructions now
sent or hereafter to be sent by letters from iis to the Lords of the
Council in England to you. And we do hereby will and require you
and every of you to be careful and diligent in the execution of this our
commission. — 30th September. 17th year."

Under the authority of this commission, the following grants from
1620 to 1627 were either confirmed or annulled. James's dealings with
the estates commenced in 1606, but it was not till fourteen years later
the full measure of his iniquitous schemes was formulated, according to
the tenor of the foregoing document. We will, therefore, lead the
reader up step by step to the time when " the tender respect to this
kingdom " was made manifest : —
• " Grant of lands to William Taeffe. — The towns of Gallid

52 HISTOEY OP THE COUNTt LONGPOED.

Ballinlagh, Camroan, and Sunnah, and all the lands, &c., in the
town and fields of Gallid aforesaid, containing 2 cart, of waste
land, at a rent of 6s. irish. In Ballinlagh, 2 cart, of waste
land. In Camroan and Sunnagh, 2 cart, of waste land, at a rent of
5s. irish (i). In Aghuemore, 2 cart., at 5s. rent, in County Longford;
parcels of the possessions of Shane OTarrell, late of Inchnegrane,
slain in rebellion ; in Ballinmullin, alias Ballinmulvey, in Clanconnor,
one cart., at a rent of 6s. 8d. irish. The rectory of Ratherogh, with the
tithes, glebes, etc., at a rent of 4s. irish, in County Longford, late
the lands of M'Patrioken, alias Patrick O'Quine, of Less^ghalie,
attainted; and late in the tenure of Pat Fox, belonging to the late
Abbey of Clarie, or Loughsewdy ; in Tibber, 1 cart., at a rent of 2s. ;
in Kilmore, J of a cart., at a rent of Is. In Boneherve, 1^ cart., at a rent
of 3s. ; in Aghnecorskie, 1 quarter, at a rent of 6s. 8d., in County
Longford, late the lands of Rorie McRosse O'Ferrall, late of Tibber,
slain in rebellion."

" G-rant of lands, &c., to Theobald, Baron of Castleconnell. — One
cartron in Ballevickenomac, near Forgny, containing 25a. in County
Longford ; the Rectory of Agherie, with all its tithes, oblations, &c. ;
parcel of the late .Abbey Shroill, alias Shroyr ; valued above reprises,
at 5s. per annum."

"Grant of lands, &c.,to LadyDelvin and her son, Lord Delvin. — King's
letter for a grant of lands, &c., to the Baron of Delvin (Richard),
his heires and assignes, to the clere yerely value of £60, Engl. —
The site and precinct of the late priorie of channons of the Holy Island,
with all houses and edifices and 2 quarters of land within said site, 2
quarters called Durrenye and Dirrenegellagh, each quarter estimated to
contain 30a. arable, 10a. pasture ; in Sruhir, 1 quarter, estimated at 30a.
arable, 10a. wood and underwood ; in Clarue, 2 quarters, estimated at
60a. arable, 30a. bog and pasture ; in Keroushegg, 1 quarter, estimated
at 30a. arable, 15a. underwood ; in Kerowraone, 2 quarters, estimated at
60a. arable, 30a. wood and pasture ; in Oashell, 1 quarter, estimated at
30a. arable, 10a. wood and pasture ; in Kerovantie, the whole rectories

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGrOED. 55

and vicarages of Kathline and Casshell, "witli all their tithes, alterages,
&C.J spiritual and temporal, tlie vicarages of SrukLr, Killire, Killnomer,
and Kilronen, with, all their tithes, alterages and profits, together with
all the tithes of the lands of Dirreine and Dirrenegealagh, in County
Meath or Longford, being parcel of the possessions of said priory of
Holy Island, demised in reversion to Christopher Lord Delvin, on
10th June, in 28th Elizabeth, for 30 years, at £21 9s., Irish;
a castle and certain lands, containing 1 cartron, or the fourth part
of a carucate ; in Monilagan, half a cartron of land ; in Aughengor, the
castle of Newton, and a moiety of 3 cartrons ; in Corbally and Newton,
the moiety of 1 cartron ; in Newton and Corbally, an island and half a
cartron, called the Cloninge, the castle of the Moate, and 5 cartrons in
the fields of Moate, in which castle and 6 cartrons one James OTarroll,
of Clonarde, claims a proportion by custom of gavelkind ; the castle and
2 cartrons of Lisnevoa ; 4 cartrons in Killenlassaragh ; 8 cartrons in
Ballyinakarmick ; 1 cartron in Bealamore, and the lough of Mill-heade,
nigh G-ranardkille, in County Longford ; parcel of the lands of the late
Abbey of Larha, in Comity Longford, valued at 6s. 8d., Irish."

Page 228. — " G-rant of lands, &c., to John Kinge.— Two cartrons in
Corpovelagh, each containing the fourth part of 1 carucate ; 1 cartron
in Cordarragh; half a cartron in LeJghcartronekellry, near Eath-
reogh, in County Longford ; and all castles, messuages, mills,
houses, structures, orchards, gardens, shops, cellars, lands, tenements
&c., belonging to the premises, aU of which are extended to the
clear annual value of £52 17s. 4d., Irish; to hold the advowsons of
churches, rectories, lands, and aU other the premises, to John Kinge,
his heirs and assigns, for ever, as of the Castle of Dublin, by fealty
only, in free and common soccage, at the rent of £52 l7s. 4d., Irish,
maiing £39 13s., English, and this grant to be vaHd in law, notwith-
standing, inter alia, the statute of 18 Henry VI."

Page 269.—" Grant of lands, &c., to John Wakeman.— One carucate
-in the town and fields of Palles, with a certain fishing and a weare
•upon the Enny; 1 caruc, in Ballievicknamae, valued above the

E

56 HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

composition and other charges, at 23s. 4d. per annum, in the
County Longford,"

Pat. 3, LX. 8. — " King's letter to revoke a grant of lands made to
the late Baron of Delvin, and the lady dowager, his mother, and to make
a new grant of the same to O'Ferrall bane and Bryan O'Ferrall, the '
former proprietors."

Do. OXIII.— " Grant from the King to Sir Eichard, Lord Delvin.—
Longford County. Licence to hold a Thursday market and a fair on
the 1st of August, and two days at Longford, with the usual courts
and fees ; rent, 6s. 8d., English. — 7 Dec. 3rd."

Pat.. 4, VII. — " G-rant from the King to John "Wakeman, Bsq.^ —
Longford County. In the town and fields of Pales, 1 cartron, with the
fishing, and a weir upon the Bnny ; rent, £1 ; in Ballivicknamae, 1
cartron ; rent, 3s. 4d. ; extended in all at £1 3s. 4d. Total rent, a red
rose at the Feast of St. John the Baptist. To hold in fee-simple, as of
the Castle of Dublin, in common soccage. — 18 May. 4th."

Pat, 4, IX.: — "Livery of seisin to Sir Eichard Nugent, Knt., of
Delvin, son and heir of Christ. Nugent, Knt., late Baron, deceased, for
a fine of £6.-13 May. 4th."

Pat. 4, Pat, III. — " G-rant from the King to Theobald Boorke, Baron
Bowrke, of Connell, or Castleconnell. — Lissechit, otherwise Lissekitt, ^
cart., parcel of the estate of Hugh McDermott O'Ferrall, attainted;
value. Is. 6d. Listrine, ^ cart., parcel of the estate of Eory McGerrott
O'Ferrall, slain in rebellion ; value. Is. 6d. Kilhnes, otherwise Killine,
•J cart., parcel of the estate of Donough, in Iriell, slain in rebellion ;
value, 9d. Aghenevedogh, ^ cart., parcel of the estate of Cahill
McShane Oge, slain in rebellion; value, 9d. Dune, ^ quarter, and
Knockan, Bleggle, ^ quarter, being each the eighth of a cartron ; parcel
of the estate of Phelime Mc James, slain in rebellion ; value, 9d. ; total
value, 5s. 3d."

Pat. 5, page 104. — " Surrender by Sir Eichard Nugent, Knt., Lord
Baron of Delvin, and Lady Maria Nugent, Lady Dowager of Delvin. —
Longford County. A castle and 1 cart., containing ^ caruc, in Monilagan,

flISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 57

parcel of the land of Rory bane M'Laughlin, attainted; Aghengor, ^ cart.;
the castle of Newton, and half of three carts, in Corbally and Newton ; ^
cart, in the same; a small island and ^ cart., called the Cloning; a
castle and 5 carts, in the Moate, in which James O'Perrall, of Clonard,
claims one part by custom of gavelkind; a castle and 2 carts, in Lisvenoa ;
in Killinasragh, 4 cart. ; in BalHnmackarmicke, 8 carts. ; in Bealamore,
1 cart. ; a mille-head near Grranardkille. — 3 May. 5th."

Pat. 5, page 115. — " Grant from the King to Pat Fox, of Dublin,
Esq. — Longford County. All the land, tenements, and hereditaments in
Gallide, containing 2 cartrons ; in Ballinelagh, 2 cartrons ; in Cam-
rowan and Sunoagh, 2 cartrons ; the estate of Shane O'Perrall, late
of Inchenegran, gent., slain in rebellion, annual value, 10s. ; the two
cartrons of Aghvenmore, 2 carts., parcel of the estate of Ferdorough
M'Conwicke, late of KilHncrobagh, gent., attainted, value 5s. ; in
Lissiguhie, or Lissidufl&e, 1 cart., parcel of the estate of Patrick O'Quine
of Killincrobagh, gent., attainted, value 2s. 6d. ; Leighpartronenekelry,
near Rathreogh, ^ cartron, the estate of Morrough McConnocke
O'Ferrall, attainted, value Is. 3d. ; in Aghnegore, ^ caruc. and a
fishery weir, called the weir of Suawowlie, upon the Shennen, parcel
of the estate of Rory McAwlie, late of Aghnegore, attainted, value
8s.; Termon-Ianaigh, or Corby of Ballyroddy, containing a ruinous
castle, 2^ cartrons, value 6s. 4d. ; Ballinmullvy, 1 cart., parcel of
the estate of Gerald McHubert Boy O'Ferrall, attainted, value 6s. 8d. ;
the rectory and tithes of Agherie, parcel of the estate of the
late Abbey of Shruel, otherwise Shrowell, in O'Ferrall Boy's country,
value 5s. ; the rectory and tithes, &c., of Rathreogh, parcel of the
estate of the late priory of Loughsewdy, value 4s."

Pat. 6, XXII., page 132. — "General pardon to Richard Nugent,
Knt., Lord Baron of Delvyn. — 26 September. 6th."

LIX. 8. — " King's letter for an inquisition to ascertain the several
former estates of the O'Ferralls, and other inhabitants of Longford
County, and for a re-grant of the same to them, respectively, reserving
a rent of £23, English, mentioned in the grants of these lands, formerly

68 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

made to Lord and Lady Delvin, which, grants have been surrendered ;
and reserving such other rents, services, etc., as are due to the Crown
for said lands ; also reserving, for the defence of the Castle of Bellabeg,
such portion of land as shall be thought meet, and for settling the
controversy between, Sir Francis Shaen, Knt., and the O'Earralls and
said other inhabitants of Longford, concerning the rent of 120 beoves,
payable by them to said Sir Francis, as .farmer of the Manor of
Granard; Sir Francis to receive for the arrear of 1^ years, 20s. for
every beef ; for every beef due before that time, 10s., English, in satisfac-
tion of all arrears. Said Sir Francis Shaen being but lessee for years,
the Lord Deputy to further him in the future collection of said rent. —
16 May. 6th."

LX. — " King's letter for a grant of lands, &c., in fee farm to Sir
Francis Shaen, Knt., which he now holds by lease for years. — 13
July. 6th."

LX. 9. — " King's letter for a grant of lands, &c., in fee farm to Sir
Francis Shaen, Knt., which he_ now holds by lease, for years.— 13
Jul. 6th."

LXI. — " King's letter, directing the Lord Deputy to assist Sir
Francis Shaen in recovering the arrears of rent due to him by the
inhabitants of Longford County, and to use expedition in passing
grants of the Manor of Granard and other lands to said Shaen ; also that
in grants of escheated lands or otherwise, in the County of the Annaly,
his Majesty's composition and rent beoves of Granard, and all other
services appertaining to the Crown, may be reserved. — 16 Jul., 1608."

LXXIII. 18. — " King's letter for a grant of lands to the Baron of
Delvin, and the lady, his mother, to the yearly value of £48 ; also to
confirm a former letter for a grant of lands to the yearly value of £60.
—29 Nov. 6th."

CI, 34. — " General pardon to Lawghlin McFagny O'Ferrall, of
Rathlime, in Longford County, yeoman; * * * to Connell
O'FerroU, of Dierie, in Longford County, gent."

CV. 40.—" * * * General pardon to Teige O'Farrell."

HISTOBY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED. 69

CVII. 43. — " Grrant from the King to Thomas Ledsom of three-
fourths of the several intrusions, alienations without hcence, and
wardships of the land of Edward Nugent, of Ballibrenagh, in Westmeath
County, son and heir of Sir Grerald Nugent, late of the same, Knt., or
of any of his ancestors ; of Melaghlen McBrian of Eunroe, in Longford
County, son and heir to Brian McShane Vane, late of the same, or by
any of his ancestors ; of Ferdorogh OTarroU, of Kiltafl&ne, in the same
county, or by any of his ancestors."

Pat. 7, page 140. — " Grant from the King to Adam Loftus, &c. —
The vestry, tithes, &c., of Killoe, in the Anneley, Longford County."

YII. — " G-eneral pardon to Sir Eobert Nugent, of Ballibrevaghe, in
Westmeath Co., Knt.— 27 May. 7th."

XXY. 28, page 142. — " Grant from the King to Sir James Dillon,
Knt. — Westmeath and Longford Counties. In Gortmore, 1 caruc. ; in
CloncuUen, 2^ caruc. ; in Sheulez, 2 caruc. ; certain lands in Clan-
connor, called the Lature ; Clonekenlesmajor, otherwise Gregagh, and
Clogher ; in the Kill, 1 caruc. Total rent, £6 12s., Ir. ; to hold to the
heirs male of his grandfather. Sir Robert Dillon, Knt. — ' habend., &c.,
pfato. Jacobo Dillon, miht. hered mascul. de corpore Robti. Dillon,
miHtis avi ipsius pfat. Jacobi Dillon, legattime pcreat. et pcreand. ad
sobit et ppim. opus et usu. ipsius pfat. Jacobi Dillon, hered mascul. de
corpore dci. Robti. Dillon, milit. pcreat. et pcreand. ;' by the twentieth
part of a Knight's fee for a fine of £22, Ir., and in virtue of the com-
mission for remedy of defective titles. — 15th July, 1609."

Pat. 7, Dorso. LXXXIII. 17.—" Grant from the King to Mary Lady
Delvin, widow, and Sir Richard Nugent, Lord Delvin, her son. — Long-
ford County. The site, &c., of the late monastery of Inchemore, other-
wise Inismore, in the Annalie ; a cemetery, containing ^ an acre in the
island of Inismore ; 6 cottages and 6a. of pasture in the said island ;
6 messuages, 80a. of arable, 130a. mountain pasture, 20a. wood, and
24a. bog, in Castle Richard, the demesne of said monastery ; 5 cottages,
90a. arable, 60a. mountain pasture, and 12a. underwood, in BallintoU;
rent, £6 14s. 8d., Ir. * * * in Cargaghclyevan, Cavan County, 3

60 HISTOET OF THE CODNTY LONGFOED,

pottles, lately in the occupation of Ferrall Oge McFerrall McPrior and
Tirlagh Mantagh. McEerrall, of Grarrimore, attainted. * * *
The castle, bawne, town and lands of Liserdawle, otherwise Lisserdowle,
with 8 cartrons.of land surrounding the same; rent, £1."

Pat. 7, pt. 2, Dorso. p. 154, LYI. — "Grant from the King to
Henrie Pierse, Esq. — The King's great lough, called Loughree, in the
river of Shanyne, lying between Connaught province, Westmeath County
' and Longford County; the whole fishings thereof, and all islands
therein, and all messuages, lands, fishings and hereditaments within the
circuit of the said lough, except those heretofore granted by patent ; the
estate of the Crown ; rent, £1."

Pat. 7, Pt. II. — LXTII. — " In Camagh and Grorreynagh, 1 cart. ;
in Sineare, or Smeare, 2 cart. ; in Rathmore, 1 cart. ; in Bnkinroe,
1 cart. ; in Tawlaght, or Breaghtwoy, -| cart. ; in Sunagh and
Camroyane, 1 cart., parcel of the estate of Shane McPrior O'Ferrall,
attainted ; rent, 16s. 3d."

Pat. 8, Pt. I. — " G-rant from the King to John Bathe, of BalgrifEen,
in Dublin County, Esq. — In Forney, otherwise Forgney, Ij caruc."

LI. 13. — "Livery of seisin and pardon of intrusion for Edward
Nugent, cousin and heir of Edward Nugent, late of Braclin, in West-
meath and Longford Counties, gent., deceased, for a> fine of £61 3s. 4d.
—9 May. 8th." ^

LXVII. 21. — " General pardon to Eobert Nugent, of Balline-
brenagh, in Westmeath County, Knt. — 12 Jul. 8th."

Pat. 8, Pt. II. — " Grant from the King to James Ware, Esq., trustee
for the provost, fellows and scholars of Trinity College, Dublin. — Nine
cartrons, called the termon-irinagh, or corbie, in Clonlogh ; rent
£l Is. 6d. ; 4 cart., called the termon-irrinagh, or corbie, Clondoragh;
rent, 9s. 6d. ; 8 cart, of Clonbrony ; rent 19s. 3d. ; 2 cart., called the
same, of Granard ; rent 4s. 9d. ; 2 cart., called the same, of Ardagh;
rent, 4s. 9d. ; parcel of the estate of the late priory or monastery of
Connall; Cartron ; Eloghan, 1 cart., with 8 cottages or houses in
Moneskallighan, 1\ cart. ; Etworboy, with 10 cottages, 1 cart. •

HISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 61

Moneard, 1 cart; Killenbea, 1 cart.; in Clonemackerry, 1 cart.,
rent £2 Os. 6d. ; parcel of the estate of the late monastery or house
of St. Peter de Rabio, otherwise Monasterick, or Monasterdir^ie, in
OTerrall boy's country; total rent, £7 l7s. 8d. ; to hold for ever, as
of the Castle of Dublin, in common soccage. — 1 Oct. 8th."

" King's letter to accept of a surrender from Walter White, and to
make him a re-grant of the office of Greneral Escheator and Feodarie, in
the County of Longford, and all other counties in Leinster province."

LVII. 29. — " Assignment by Thomas Eead to Walter White, of his
share of the office of Escheator in the County of Longford, and all other
counties in Leinster provinqe. — 25 Jul. 1608. — Pat. Off."

IK. 2. — " Surrender by Mary Lady Nugent, Lady Dowager of
Delvin, late wife of Christopher Nugent, Baron of Delvin, deceased, and
Richard Nugent, now Baron of Delvin, of lands in Longford County,
escheated to the Crown by the attainder of the O'Ferralls, and granted
to the said Lady and Lord Delvin. — 14 June. 2nd. — 7 Dec. 3rd. —
15 Feb, 8th."

Pat. 8, Pt. Y. — " Grant from the King to Patrick Foxe, of Dublin,
Esq. — Longford County. In Taghssynatt, otherwise Taghseni, 1 cart.,
parcel of the estate of the priory of Loughseudie, or manor of Bally-
more, Loughsewdie ; rent 7s.

" Aghnecrosse, otherwise Dromnecrosse, 1 caruc. or cart. ; rent,
6s. 8d. Ir. ; Corrobehy, 1 cart. ; Lissomine, 1 cart. ; Cartron Reagh,
^ cart, or caruc. ; rent, 13s. 4d. Ir. ; Carhrye, 1 caruc. or cart ; in
Balhnrodde, -| cart. ; the estate of Kerdagh McShane O'Ferrall, rent
6s. 8d. Ir. ; in Croghillen, -J caruc. or cart., the estate of Murrough
McComvicke O'Ferrall, of the same, attainted ; rent, 4s. Ir. ; in Killne-
moddagh, 4a., parcel of the estate of Owen Roe McBdmond O'Ferrall,
of the same, attainted ; rent. Is. 4d. Ir. ; in the same, 4a., parcel of the
estate of Melaghlin Moyle O'Ferrall, of the same, attainted; rent, Is. 4d.
Ir. ; Cowlaurte, 1 caruc. or cart. ; Killenawesh, ^ caruc. or cart., parcel
of the estate of Murrough McComvicke O'Ferrall, aforesaid; rent,
6s. 8d, Ir.

62 HISTOET OF THE OOUNTV LONGFOED.

" The rectory" of Shrowell, otherwise TJrre, parcel of the estate of
the monastery of the B. V. Mary of Shrowell, in O'Farrell Boye's
country, in Balhwilly, 1 qr., containing 60a. arable meadow, wood and
pasture; parcel of the estate of Grerald McHubbert boy O'Farroll,
attainted. 18th June. 9th."

"LXYII. 30.— Grrant to Patrick Fox, Esq., of the wardship of
Faghney O'Ferrall, son and heir of James Ferrall, late of Oastlereogh,
in Longford County, Esq., deceased, for a fine of £6, Ir., and an annual
rent of £2 ; the amount of the annual allowance for his maintenance
and education is omitted, apparently through inadvertency. 20th
May. 9th."

" Grrant from the King to Patricke Foxe, Esq., Longford County. —
Two cartrons, each containing |- plowland in Correpoblagh ; in
Carradeira, 1 cartron, parcel of the estate of Cormac O'Farroll, attainted;
rent, 7s. 6d. Ir. Liskitt, otherwise Lissechit, half a cartron.; rent,
Is. 6d. ; Listrime, ^ cartron. ; rent Is. 6d.; parcel of the estate of Eorie
McGrerrott O'Farroll, slain in rebellion ; Aghenevedocke, ^ cartron ;
rent, 9d. ; parcel of the estate of Cahill McShane Oge, slain in rebellion ;
Killins, otherwise Killine, ^ cartron ; rent, 9d. ; parcel of the estate of
Donough M'Ireill, slain in rebellion ; Downe, | qr. ; Knockanetgell, ^
qr. ; rent, 9d. ; parcel of the estate of Phelym McJames, slain' in
rebellion; in Oammagh and Corrennagh, 1 cartron; in Smeare, 2
cartrons ; in Rathmore, 1 cartron ; in Evkineroe, 1 cartron ; in
Tawlaght and Breighwoy, J cartron; ia Sonnagh and Camroan, 1
cartron; rent, 16s. 3d."

XXYIII. — " Grrant from the King to Patrick Foxe, Esq.— The site,
&c., of the friary of Ballinesagart, with a cottage, 34a. arable, 2a.
bog, and 6a. pasture, in the town and fields of Ballineseggard ; rent,
£1 6s. 8d."

XXIX. — " Lease from the King to Richard Hardinge, Esq.— In the
Anelie. One ruinous chm-ch, 3 messuages, 40a. arable, and 30a. pasture ;
parcel of the lands of the hospital of St. Patrick, called Granard-kille, in
O'Ferralls' country ; rent, £1 10s., besides the King's composition ; in

HISTOET OF THE COIWTT LONGPOED. 63

Clonemore, 2 carews ; the moiety of the tithes of Glranard Rectory ;
rent, £12 3s. 4d. ; parcel of the estate of the abbey of G-ranard."

Dorso. XXXIII. — " Grant from the King to Captain Eoger Atkinson —
The manor of Lissardoyle, otherwise Lissardawly, and 8 cartrons, parcel
of the said manor ; except all the lands, &c., granted by patent to Henry
Pierce and John Ctisake, gent., the ancient inheritance of the Crown ;
rent, £1 10s. The fruits and profits, spiritual and temporal, of the
chiirch and town of Macestrine and Ballinesagart ; rent, £2 ; parcel
of the priory of Little Melverine, England.

" The rectory of Shrowell, otherwise Urre, the estate of the mon-
astery of the B. Y. Mary of Shrowell, except 3 couples of corn, and all
the alterages for the stipend of the vicar, yearly gathered by six couples
of acres of corn ; rent, £2 4s. 4d., Irish. To hold for 81 years, from
lOth March last; in Bally willy, 1 quarter, cjontaining 60a.; rent,
6s. 8d. To hold for 11 years from 20th March, last.— 19 June. 9th."

Pat. 10, XXVIi; 12.— "Grant from the King to Sir Francis Shane
Knt. — Aghowmore, Aghownehae and Aghowfrey, each 1 cartron, in the
country of O'Quyn in the Annely ; the wood of Killevrench ; a parcel of
meadow called Sraghfine; Teaghsinat, 1 cartron; in Sare, otherwise
Sruher, 3 cart. ; the rectories of Sare, otherwise Sruher, and Killiha-
mock ; of Clongisse ; of Killshie, otherwise Killneshie ; of Ballymaccor-
mick;j-Moygowe, otherwise Moydowe ; Tessenert, otherwise Teighsinatt;
Teaghshinney, otherwise Tessynie ; Killglasse ; St. Michael ; Rath-
rewgh ; all which, with their tithes, belong to said priory of Loghsewdie ;
rent, £84 16s. ll^gd. Ir. ; and one able archer for the defence of the
kingdom; aU the tithes, great and small, of all the towns and lands in
the territory of Maghery-granard ; parcel of the estate of the abbey of
the Blessed Virgin Mary of Larha, otherwise Granard ; rent, £8 ;
the rectory of Strade, and 20a. of glebe land thereto belonging;
rent, £8 ; the advowson and right of patronage of the vicarages of
Granard and Strade ; all the tithes, great and small, late in the tenure
of Donogh O'Herra, farmer to the abbot and convent of Larha, viz.,
half of all the tithes of Tully, 1 cart. ; Tonybarden, 2 cart. ;- Arde-

64 HISTOTiY OF THE COUNTY liONGPOED.

chullin, 2 cart. ; Monytgoven and Lien, 2 cart. ; Eycharda, 1 cart. ;'
Mnokersagh, 2 cart ; Oullenmeragan, 1 cart. ; Kilnenavis and Sian, 1
cart. ; Clonfyn, Culartie, Eillyne, Blightoge, Moniskribbagh, and all tlie
otber tithes ; parcel of the estate of tlie said abbey of Larba ; rent, £1
6s. 8d. ; tbe castle and town of Oloneswote, otherwise Castleton, contain-
ing 1 cart. ; rent, 2s. 3d. ; Annagh, 1 cart., rent, 2s. ; Boberboy, 1 cart.;
Clonediierda-Inver, ^ cart. ; rent, 3s. ; BallagbeOonelan, otherwise
Balliaghychonell, 1 cart. ; rent, 2s. ; Leitrom in Moytra, 2 cart. ; rent,
4s. The north cartron of Leitrom, near Drohednegalliogh, which
parcel of 'Leitrom, contains 2 cart.; half of the cart, of the Windmill,
near Granard ; rent, 3s. ; Lagan, otherwise Listosty, or Lislosty, other-
wise Ejllmackanan, 1 cart. ; rent, 2s. ; the castle and cart, of Eobins- '
ton, Ballinecross, 2 cart. ; Ballihiggin, 1 cart. ; rent, 2s. ; Ballibrien,
1 cart.; rent, 2s.; the parcels of Alidermod, Cowletrim, Quivishin,
Monegane, Tonekilly, Clonenreagh, and Corrynallan, containing ^ cart.,
lying in Ballimacbrien ; rent. Is. ; the south cart, of Ballynegall ; rent,
2s. ; the castle and south cart, of Monilaggan ; rent, 3s. ; the ruinous
castle and cart, of Bealamore ; a mill-head and site of a water-mill near
Granard Kill ; rent, 2s. 6d."

Pat. 10, XLI. 30. — " Commission to Sir John Blenerhassett, Knt., Sir
John Elliott, Knt., both barons of the Exchequer, John Beere, Esq., ser-
jeant-at-law, and others, to inquire what were the ancient limits and
bounds of Longford County ; how many cartrons, qrs., and other propor-
tions of land were therein, with their names ; the chiefest or ancientest
tenants, inhabitants, owners or , possessors of the said lands ; or how
much thereof had been subject to the composition of £200 per annum,
lately granted to Sir Nicholas Malby, Knt., and the heirs male of his
body; or to the rent of 120 beoves, heretofore due, or payable to the
Crown as parcel of the manor of Granard, or to any other charges, and
what, lands were holden as free lands, with their owners or possessors ;
what other lands the Crown ought to be seized of, and by what title,
expressing their particular names, and, if church lands, with the occu-
piers or possessors thereof, and by what title they held the said church

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 65

lands i the yearly value of all tlie lands beyond reprises ; to accept tte
surrenders of all such persons as claimed any estate in the said county,
and to return same into the chancery ; to appoint so many cartrons to
be conveyed to Sir Francis Shane, Knt., and his heirs, as may counter-
vail the yearly rent of £100, Eng., which he had in lieu of the said 120
beoves, to be laid in the most convenient places for Granard and the
abbey of Longford ; to plot the yearly rent of £230, Eng., to be reserved
to the Crown, upon the rest of the lands intended to be granted to the
natives of that county ; to limit, appoint, and set out in particular 300a.,
to be laid out with the foot of Ballilegg next adjoining thereto ;
to divide and allot how much of the residue of the lands every one of
those natives which they should think fit to be freeholders should have
for his portion, and to do all other things for the settUng of Longford
County.— 22 Mar. 9th.

" The execution of this Commission as to the ancient bounds of the
county, the names of the lands which were subject to the said rent and
beoves, and what church lands were in the county, was found by the
inquisition annexed, taken at Ardagh, 4th April, 1612; but as for
execution of the other parts of the Commission, the Commissioners could
not proceed therein, partly for that the heir of James O'Ferrall, lately
deceased, chief of the sept of the G'Eerrall Boyes, was within age, and
his lands were in his Majesty's hands during his minority ; and partly
for that the rest of that sept which were not attainted, did refuse to
make surrenders of their lands, but upon such conditions as the Com-
missioners had no authority to allow of. — No date."

XLII. 31. — " Inquisition, taken at Ardagh, in Longford County, 4th
April, 10th, setting out the mearings and bounds of Longford County,
and other matters as directed in the preceding commission. Note. —
The contents of this inquisition are to be found in full in the Eeperto-
rium Inquisitionem Hiberni^, Vol. I., published 1826, by order of his
Majesty's Commissioners of Public Eecords in Ireland, to which the
reader is therefore referred for particulars."

Pat. 5, XXIX. 18. — " King's letter for a grant to Richard,

66 HISTOEr OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD,

Baron of Delvin, of so much lands of the late monastery of
Fower as shall amount to the value of the 24 poles of land which,
the said Baron is to surrender to the Crown, for the plantation of
the County of Longford."

XL VI. 27. — " King's letter to issue a commission to Sir Robert
Jacob, Kilt., the King's Solicitor, the Surveyor-Gleneral, and others,
to enquire as to the King's title to the country of Garhry, County
Longford, and the islands belonging thereto, and to make grants of the
same to Sir James Fullerton, Sir James Carroll, and Busebius Andrews,
or to such persons as they shall nominate; also, instructions in favour
of Sir James Simple, and for inquiring into the state of the inhabitants
of Carbry, and their intercourse with foreign parts. — 10 Jul. 10th."

CXLI. 48. — " The monastery of Learray, with the appurtenances,
Killen Lassaragh, Breaklone and elsewhere."

Pat. II.— LXIII. 24.— "Grant to Daniel Birne and Charles Heitley,
gent., of authority to seize all Irish mantles and bendells dyed with
saffron which may be worn in Longford and the other counties of
Leinster, &c., together with two-third parts of all fines incurred for the
wearing thereof, contrary to the statute, during seven years, yielding
to the Crown the other one-third of such fines. — 19 Apr. 11th."

Act. Beg. — LXX. 35. — " Grant from the King to James Ware, Esq. —
The towns and lands of Coolenegor and Fiamore, 1 cartron ; Bonaclea,
Ballicor, each 1 cartron ; Ballimore, J cart. ; Tonein and Aghoinbillie,
or Aghowbillie, 1 cart. ; Aghowraha, \ cart. ; Garvagh and Bonowen,
1 cart. ; Leytrim and Kellyn, 2 cart. ; Aghownewre and Aghownecree-
day, 1 cart. ; all which were lately called the termon-irrenagh or corbe-
land of Cloneogher, otherwise Clonogherie ; rent, £1 15s. 6d. Ir. ; the
4 carts, or parcels called the termon-irrenagh, or corbe-land of Clon-
doragh ; rent, 9s. 6d. ; Clonbrony, 1 cart. ; Feymore and ClonemuUen,
1 cart. ; Ballinreaghan, 1 cart. ; Leytrim, ^ cart. ; Cloncoose, 1 cart. ;
Olongorniegan, ^ cart. ; Laghall, -J cart. ; Cullef adde, ^ cart. ; Rowe,
1 cart. ; Corlagh, \ cart. ; Aghmore, J cart. ; all which were the termon-
irrenagh or corbe-land of Clonbrony, and contain 8 carts, j rent, 19s.

HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED. &7

3d..; Qranardkill, 2 carts., called tlie termon-irrenagli or corbe-land of
Grranard, otherwise Granardkill ; rent, 5s. 9d. ; Ardagh, 2 cart.,
called the termon-irrenagli or corbe-land. of Ardagh; rent, 4s. 9d.;
Elogham, otherwise Eloghan, 1 cart., with 8 cottages thereon ; in
Moniskallaghan, IJ cart. ; Etworboy, 1 cart., with 10 cottages thereon ;
Moneard, Killenbea, Clonemuckerie, 1 cart, each ; rent, £2 Os. 6d. ;
parcel of the estate of the late Monastery of St. Peter de Rabio, other-
wise Monasterrick, otherwise Monaster dirgie."

Pat. II., Pt. 2, page 260. — " Grant from the King to Henry Piers,
Esq. — Leitrim and Longford Counties, or one of them. Cartron —
Aghnecrosse, otherwise Dromnecrosse, 1 caracute or cartron; rent,
6s. 8d."

Page 264 — " The rectory or parish church of Dermore, otherwise
Demore, parcel of the estate of the late Monastery of Granard,
otherwise the B. V. Mary, of Learagh; rent, £2 J 3s. 4d."

Pat. 12, XLI. 49, page 275 — "King's letter to receive a surrender
from Richard, Lord Baron of Delvin, of all his lands and possessions
in Longford County, and to re-grant the same to, him by letters
patent.— 12 Jun. 12th." •

Pat. 13, page 284, LXI. 1.9. — "King's letter concerning the plan-
tation of Longford, Leitrim, and other Irish counties. — 12 Apr. 13th,
Act. Reg."

Page 287. — " Grant from the King to Francis Annesley, Esq., as
assignee of Edmond Middhopp, gent. — The monastery of Loncourt,
otherwise Longford, \a,., a house, a cottage, 28a. arable, 6a. pasturage,
, being the demesne lands of said monastery, with common of turbary in
the great moor thereunto pertaining ; the premises had been granted 2
Jul:;, 21st Eliz., to Sir Nicholas Malby and his heirs male. Total rent,
£32 Is. lOd., Ir. To hold for ever, as of the Castle of Dubhn, in
common soccage. — 29 Jan. 13th."

Page 298, Pat. 13, XVII. 30.—" Grant from the King to Patrick
Foxe, Wilham Crowe, Esq., and Robert Caddell, gent., Longford
County. — The rectories, churches, or chapels of Sare, otherwise Srure,

68 HISTOET OF THE COITNTT LONGFORD.

Killockmocke, otherwise Killacomooke, Olonglisse, Kilsie, otherwise
Kilnesy,Moygow, otherwise MoygOwll, Tessenert, otherwise Taghsynatt,
Tessynny, Kilglasse, and St. Michael of Rabuck, all being parcel of the
estate of Loughsewdy Priory. Total rent, £14 3s. 4d,, It. To hold
for ever, for a fine of £10, Ir. — 15 Aug. 9th."

Dorso. Pat. 13, p. 300. — "King's letter for a surrender and re-
grant to Eichard "Waldron, Esq., of the Lord of Delvin's land in Long-
ford, and other lands. — 16 Aug. 12th."

P. 303, Pat. 14, Pt. I., XXVI. 19.— "Power of Attorney from
James Turnor, of Kishock, in Dublin County, Esq., to Francis Edgworth,
Esq., of Longford County, to make a surrender of the ofl&ce of Second
Engrosser and Comptroller of the Pipe in the Exchequer. — 14 Aug. ■
14th."

P. 806, LXXXIII. 14. — " King's letter for a surrender and re-grant
of lands in favour of Sir Patrick Fox, of Dublin, Knt. — 11 Jul. 14th."

XLIY. 13. — " Licence to Sir Richard JSTugei^t, Knt., Baron of Delvin,
to hold a Tuesday market at Fina, in Westmeath County, and two fairs
there, one on 8th September, unless that day should occur on Sunday,
in which case the fair is to be held on the Monday following, and the
other on Whitsun-Monday ; with courts of pie-powder and the usual
tolls ; rent, £1, Ir. ; also a fair at the abbey of Fower, in "Westmeath
County, to be held on 15th August, except on Sundays, as hefore; rent,'
13s. 4d. Ir.— 12 Feb. 14th."

P. 342, Pat. 15, LXVII. 27.— "Deed, whereby damfe Mary Shane,
widow of the late Sir Francis Shane, Knt., and Henry Fynnings, of
Ballymore, gent., son and heir of William Fynnings, late of London,
barber-surgeon, assign to Edm. Humfrey Richard the manor of
Granard, ill the Annalie, in Longford County, with its appur-
tenances, which had bden demised to Sir Francis by Queen Elizabeth,
20th Nov., 36th of her reign, to hold for 45 years after the termination
of the leases then in being ; also, the tithes of such lands as the heirs of
Morough O'Ferrall held in Longford County, and the tithes of Magheri-
granardjin the same county, and of the rectory. of Strade, and the fields

HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 69

therepfjWith 20a. arable thereto belonging inWestmeatli County, demised
to Henry Sheffield by Queen Elizabeth, 25 Nov., 33rd of her reign, for
31 years after the expiration of a prior demise by the said Queen, lOth
May, 20th of her reign, to Thomas Plunket, of Loughgowre, gent., and
Thomas Qosgrowe, of Dublin, merchant, for 21 years, and afterwards
demised by the said Queen, 20 Nov., 36th of her reign, to the said Sir
Francis, for 45 years after the expiration of Sheffield's lease. To hold
during the residue of the term, to the use of Sir Francis Aungier, Knt.,
paying thereout all rents and reservations stated in the former grants
thereof.— 4 Jul. 15th."

P. 45, Pat. 15, p. 348-9, V. 45.—" The King having, by letter
dated 8th Sept., 1617, required the Lord Deputy to grant to such
person as the Lady Mary Shane should nominate the following
lands — Longford County, the manor and castle of Grranard, and 120
rent beoves, payable yearly by the inhabitants of the Annaly, with
all the lands, rents, work-days, works, customs, services, and other
hereditaments, at a rent of £36, Ir., and to maintain two able
horsemen for the defence of the kingdom ; which lands had been de-
mised by Queen Elizabeth, 20th November, 1594, for 45 years, to Francis
Shane of Killane, in Westmeath County, Esq., in reversion of all
leases then in being ; having also required him to grant the tithes of
Maghery-Granard, and the rectory of Strade, all the tithes, within the
territory of Maghery-Grranard, and the tithes of all the lands which the
heirs of Murrough O'Ferrall lately held, at a rent of £8, and of £1 for
O'Ferrall's lands ; which, together with those of Strade, had been de-
mised, 25th Nov., 1591, to H. Sheffield, gent., for 31 years in reversion
after a lease thereof, made for 21 years to Thomas Plunkett, of Lough-
gowre, gent., and T. Cosgrowe, of Dublin, merchant, from 10th May,
1578. Also, p. 349, Westmeath and Longford Counties — The rectory
and tithes of Strade, and 20a. of the glebe of the said rectory; the
advowson, &c., of the vicarages, &c., of Granard and Strade, at a rent
of £8 ; parcel of the estate of the abbey of the JB. Y. Mary of Larrha,
otherwise Granard; and she having, by two deeds, 4 July, 1617,

70 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED,

together with Henry Fynninge, of Bally more, gent., son and heir to
William Fynninge, of London, barber-surgeon, deceased, sold the said
premises to Sir Francis Aungier, Knt., Master of the Eolls, for the
sum of £850, Bng., the King confirms the same to him and his heirs by
this patent, with power to hold courts leet and baron within the manor
of G-ranard, and to hold a Tuesday market at G-ranard, and two fairs
there on 23rd April and St. Matthew's day, and the day after each,
unless such days occur on Saturday or Sunday, in which case the fairs
are to be held on the Monday and Tuesday following ; with courts of
pie-powder and the usual tolls ; rent, £1, Ir. — 30 Jan. 15th."

P. 36t XXXVI. 13.— "Grant from the King to Sir Thomas
Eotherham, Knt.^Longford County. The castle and fort of Ballyleigg,
otherwise Bealaleig, and 300 acres then or late in the tenure of Sir
Richard Greame, Knt., lying about said castle, and next adjoining to
the River Shannon. Total rent, £2, Ir. To hold for 21 years, from
last Michaelma,s, for a fine of £3, Ir. — 2 Mar. 15th."

Pat. 16, XXI. 46.—" Grant from the King to William Crowe, of
Dublin, Esq., assignee of David, Viscount Fermoy, by deeds dated
20th Feb., 1614, and 22nd Jul, 1615. — Longford and Cavan Counties,
or one of them. The tithes of the parish church of Dromlonan, otherwise
Dromloman ; parcel of the estate of the monastery of Granard, other-
wise Larrha; rent £3, Ir. Longford and Cavan Counties. The tithes
of the parish church of Ballimachewe, otherwise Ballimack, parcel of the
estate of the said monastery of Granard; rent, £2 13s. 4d., Ir."

P. 401, Pat. 16. — "Longford, &c. &c. Deed between the most high
and mighty Prince James of the one part, and Sir Robert Jacob of the
other part, whereby, in consideration of faithful services, the King
granted to the said Sir Robert, Longford, &c. &c., the tithes of Bally-
managh, alias Ballynemanagh, and the tithes of certain lands in the
lordship or country called McGermon's country, parcel of the posses-
sions of the monastery ot Granard ; rent, £3 6s. 8d."

P. 420, Pat. 16, XXIV. 39.^ — Proclamation against giving shelter or
assistance to Richard, Baron of Delvin, who escaped from Dublin Castle

: .:i*i;«i-

<j:

HISTORY OF THE COTJNTY LONGFOED. 73

where he was confined on a charge of high treason, Dublin. 23 Nov.,
1607.

Facie II. 2. — " Lease by the King to James Ware, of DubKn, Esq.,
and Will. Plunkett, of same city, gent. — Longford County. The late
monastery of St. Peter of Kabio, otherwise Monastererick, or Monaster-
derge (Abbeyderg) ; the site, ambit, and circuit of said house ; the town
and lands of Monastererick, otherwise Eerick, containing 14 messuages,
130a. arable, 60a. pasture and underwood ; common of pasture in the
great moor of Monasterkerry ; all the lands, tenements, and heredita-
ments, temporal and spiritual, of said house ; the cartron and ^ cartron
of Moniskallaghan, the cartron of Etworboy, the cartron of Moneard,
the cartron of Killenbea, and 1 cartron in Clonemockery, all in said
county, always excepted ; the rectory of Rerick ; the tithes, great and
small, arising out of the lands above excepted (two couple of corn and
the alterages belonging to the vicar only excepted) ; rent, £6, Ir.
The tithes of 4 granges near Grranard, of the grange of Tonagh-
more, of the grange of EincoU or Eincoole, and of the 3 granges of
GoUdony, otherwise Coldonnyj Cloncrall, otherwise Clonecraw, and
Deragh, parcel of the late monastery of the B. V., of Larha, otherwise
Learah, or Granard ; rent, £6, Ir.; the tithes of Montecarbry or Slew-
carbry, parcel of the last-named monastery; rent, £5 3s. 4d."

P. 423, IX. 21. — "Living of Seisin to James Nugent, son and heir

of Christopher Nugent, late of Clonlost, in "Westmeath County, deceased ;

for a fine of £25, Engl.— 20 Nov. 16th."

********

XCIX. 1 8. — " Eegulation as to the mode of passing grants of land
to be observed by the two auditors and the surveyors-general, and fees
to be paid, submitted to the Lord Deputy, by Sir Will. Jones, Sir Will.
Methwold, and Sir Era. Aungier, of the Longford County. — No date."

C. 19, p. 434. — " Approval of said regulations by the Lord
Deputy.— 20 April, 1619."

CI. 19. — " King's letter for a grant'to Lord Cromwell, of lands to the
yearly value of £400, Engl., in consideration of his having relinquished

74 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONQPOED.

the benefit of the King's promise of 3,000a. of the escheated lands in
Longford, such lands not being any part of the plantations in Ulster or
in other parts, now in hand ; regard also being always had of the
English fee-farmers in Leyx, who are conformable to the King's laws
and religion. — 14 Apr. 17th."

P. 435, CXYII. 30.— " Grant to Will. Crofton, of Dublin City,
Esq., for a fine of £10, Engl., of the wardship and marriage of Owin
McSwyne, son and heir of Erevan McSwyne, of Longford County,
gent., deceased. — 5 July. 17th."

CXXIX. 36. — " Assignment by Thomas, Lord Cromwell, to Sir Will.
Brabazon, Knt., of lands of the yearly value of £8 6s. 8d., Ir., being
part of a grant of lands to the amount of £400, Engl., from the Crown
to Lord Cromwell, in consideration of his having relinquished the
benefit of the King's promise of 3,000a. of escheated lands in Longford
County.— 22. Aug. 17th."

P. 448, CXXIX. 37.— " Presentation of Daniel O'Farrall to the
prebend of Termonbary, Elphin dioc, vacant, and in the gift of the
Crown, of full right or otherwise, with a stall in the choir and a voice
in the chapter. — 25 November. 17th."

CXXIII. 34. — " King's letter to grant to Jonas, Bishop of Ossory and
King's chaplain, and his successors, 1,000a. of escheated lands, in the
territory of Ely O'Carrolh— 7 August. 17th."

P. 450, Pat. 17, Pt. III.— III. 5.—" Grant from the King to Donnell
Mac Teig Owne O'FarroU, King's or Longford. — In Ely O'CarroU's
country, Clonmore, Monnirahin and Islandmore, 80a. arable and pasture,
and 30a. bog and wood ; Breekenagh and Ballinvorrin, containing the
hamlet of Rakeeragh, Farrinnswagh, Dirrinesallagh, Granaghan and
Lissahagh, 236a. arable, 342a. pasture, and 52a. bog and watercourse ;
in the two Kinnaghans, containing the hamlet of Clonyncabla, Bela-
gaddy, Gortinribbin, Shanvally, Ferecheny, Gortvally and Tirlaghan;
Feigh, containing the hamlet of Killinefeagh and Monyhairy, 200a.,
excepting thereout 20a. of pasture adjoining the church of Serkeran,
alias Serkerine, out of Clonmore, as a glebe ; rent for the 858a. pasture

HISTORY or THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 75

land, £8 18s. 9d. English; for the 82a. wood and bog, 3s. 5d. To hold
in free and common soccage. O'Farroll covenants not to grant or
demise any of the aforesaid premises to any person, but according to the
law of England, and not to reserve or take any uncertain rent or Irish
exaction ; to cause his several tenants in fee-farm, and the tenants for
the term of life, lives, or years, or in fee-tail, to erect their dwelling-
houses contiguous to each other, in " town reeds," and not scattered or
single, as well for the mutual defence and safety of the said O'CarroU,
and of his tenants, as for the erection of several villages, for the public
good and service of the kingdom of Ireland ; and if the tenants act to
the contrary, that the said O'Farroll shall forfeit in every case £5,
English, per annum, for every house so built. The Deputy and Commis-
sioners reserve a right within 3 years to give liberty to any person to carry
away sand, slates, stones and timber from the lands in Longford and Ely
O'Farroll. That he will sow every year one acre of English standard
measure wdth hemp, on and upon every 100 acres of land ; not to alien in
fee-simple or fee-tail, or for any greater estate or term than 3 lives or 41
years, to any person being " mere Irish," and who be not of the Enghsh
race and name ; and if the said O'Farroll enter into actual rebellion, or
commit any treason, or if he, his heir or assigns, assume or take the
style or title of ' the G-reat O'Farroll,' or maintain or use the said name,
by giving or paying any rent, taxation, or service, or divide the afore-
said lands according to the Irish custom of gavelkind, that it may be
lawful for the King to re-enter into all and singular the premises, and
resume and repossess the same, with a clause of exoneration, acquit-
tance and assurance. — 10th January. 17th."

The several conditions of the plantation in the preceding patent
mentioned are also contained in every grant from the Crown to the
undertakers and the natives of the King's and Longford Cmmties, with
the exception alone that the natives are prohibited from assuming or
recognising the ancient titles, distinguishing the chiefs of their families,
or to divide their possessions according to the ancient Irish custom of
gavelkind.

76 HISTORY OF THE COUNTT LONGFORD.

III. 7.— "Grant from the King to William McBrianMurtagh O'Farrell
— Longford County. The castle and town or cartron of Donclone, 138a. ;
Corylachclone, 58a. of pasture and 92a. of bog and wood; Cartrone-
clagh, 163a. of pasture and 35a. of bog and wood ; Laghclone, 2 car-
trons, 113a. of pasture, and 39a. of bog and wood; Ballinknock, 38a. of
pasture and 11a. bog and wood, in the castle and fields of Knockivagan
and the 2 Ardes ; Kilmacaylan and Aghonehonen, 75a. of pasture and
68a. wood and bog ; 2 parcels of wood, called Derryoghil and Derri-
glogher, 60a., in the barony of Moydow. Total, 585a. pasture, and
305a. bog and wood. Total rent for the pasture lands, £6 Is. 10|d.
Engl.; and bog and wood, 14s. 4|d. To hold in free and common
soccage, with a provision that if the said William McBrian Murtagh
assume the name, style, or title of * the G-reat O'Farrell,' by giving or
paying any rent, taxation, or service, or divide his lands according to
the Irish custom of gavelkind, this patent to be wholly void ; with other
covenants. — 29 January. l7th."

YII. 15.—" Grant from the King to Bryan Duff McOonnell O'Farrell
— Longford County. The lands of Cloneshoge, Aghowgarve, and Berry-
dabegg, 214a. pasture, 66a. moor and bog, except 14a. of pasture
adjoining the lands of Agholcassa and Burrin, in Muntergerrin, in the
barony of Granard ; rent for the pasture land, 50s. Engl. ; bog and wood,
2s. 9d.— 12 Feb. l7th."

VIII. 17. — " Grant from the King to Richard, Lord Baron of Delvin.
— Longford County. The lands of Smere, 215a. of pasture, 147a. bog
and wood, and 282a. of mountain ; Oornedronee, 92a. pasture, and 206a.
bog and wood; Eosseduffe, Drumshanaly, and Faghowry, 1,000a. pas-
ture, and 332a. bog and wood ; Doonbeggan, 69a. pasture, and 66a. bog
and wood; Cleynragh, 137a. pasture, and 100a. bog and wood; Bir-
renagh and Crott, 265a. pasture, 75a. wood and bog, and 197a. moun-
tain ; Aghagagh and Dromowry, 1 cartron and quarter, 230a. pasture ;
Aghekine and Lisgarry, 228a. pasture, and lX)6a. bog and wood;
Agherclogh, 78a. pasture, and 55a. bog and wood, with a common and
a mountain belonging to the above lands, 212a. pasture and 638a.

HISTORY OF THE COTjNTT LONGFORD. *1*1

mountain; Ballyranell and Coolegawen, 50a.; Ballyneraghan, Ilia.;
Portegurtenwoglitragh, 50a. ; Portegurtenyeightragh, 50a. ; Cartron-
vore, 27a. pasture, and 84a. bog and wood ; also the lands of Creeve,
adjoining the lands of Ballyneraghan ; total, 2,970a. pasture, 2,288a.
bog, wood, and mountain; rent, pasture lands, £30 7s. 8^d., Engl.; bog
and wood, £4 15s. 4d. To bold m cajpite, by military service, with a
provision that the said Eichard, Lord Baron of Delvin, is not to assume
the name, style, or title of ' the Great O'Farrall,' in giving or paying
any rent, taxation, or service, or divide the lands before mentioned
according to the Irish custom of gavelkind, otherwise this patent to be
wholly void. — All the lands granted under the commission for the
plantation of Longford and Ely O'Carroll's territory, are subject to the
covenants set out in Art. No. 11. 17th."

P. 452, XIV. 30.—" Grant from the King to Francis Edgworth.—
Longford County. In Ely O'Carroll's country, the castle and lands of
Crenelaghmore, Crenelaghbegg, Lissane, and Groote, 300a. arable
pasture, and 276a. wood and bog, excepting thereout 80a. arable and
pasture, adjoining the lands of Ringanny and Coolemeregin ; rent, for
the arable and pasture land, £3 15s., Engl. ; for wood and bog, lis. 6d.
To hold in free and common soccage, with power to create tenures, to
enjoy all waifs and strays, with free warren and chase. — 28th
Feb. 17th."

XV. 31. — " Surrender by Sir Francis Aungier, Knight, a privy
counsellor ; Dame Margaret, his wife ; George St. George, and Henry
Holcroft, of the City of Dublin, in furtherance of the settlement of the
plantation in that county, which cannot well be performed without
surrenders for the patentees. — The castle, town, and lands of Granard-
Shehan, alias Cartron-Caslane, Racronan, and Teemore, with their
appurtenances, containing 3 cartrons, and also the annual rent of 120
beeves, which he receives from the inhabitants of the Annaly. — 18
Feb. I7th."

XVI. 32. — " Grant from the King to Sir Francis Aungier, Knight,
and Lady Margaret, his wife. — Longford County. The 2 *Ballynegalls

78 mSTOBY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

*K:nockslaune, and *Lissegaddery, 139a. arable and pasture, and 4a,
wood and bog; half of *Mullynegie, 82a. arable and pasture, and 5a. wood
and bog ; Aghaboy, 54a. ; *Kankilly, alias *Kinkilly, 106a. ; *Lisneant,
40a. *Higginstown, Tenefoble, 79a.; *Ballyniorris, 119a. arable and pas-
ture, and 114a. wood and bog; half of *Oartrongeragh, 72a. ; *Aghabrack,
42a. arable and pasture, and 77a. wood and bog; 2 *Leytrinis, 2l4a.
arable and pasture, and 77a. wood and bog; Gralid, 162a.; *Bally-
nehowne, 110a. arable and pasture, 22a. bog and wood; Ballybryne, 83a.
arable and pasture, 13a. wood and bog ; *Ballymacgillechriste, l3la. ;
*Troniroe, 160a. arable and pasture, 35a. wood and bog; *Shrareogh 40a.
arable and pasture, 9a. wood and bog; *Killosoenyetra, 144a.; *G-ranard-
killy, 183a. arable and pasture, 34a. wood and bog ; half of the town
and lands of t Longford, 3 cartrons lying south of the river of Longford,
91a. arable and pasture, 104a. wood and bog ; Ferran Tungan, alias
Oartrondowgan, 29a. arable and pasture, 119a. wood and bog; andCar-
trongarrow, 109a. arable and pasture, 18a. wood and bog ; t Mornyn,
10a. arable and pasture, 69a. wood and bog ; Ologher, 153a. ; Clon-
turke, 77a. arable and pasture, 43a. wood and bog; Cartronegeragh,
80a. arable and pasture, 77a. wood and bog; Cloneny, 45a. arable and
pasture, 149a. wood and bog ; Clonelerhin, 129a. arable and pasture,
144a. wood and bog; the half of the town and lands of Longford, 3
cartrons lying pn the north side of the said river, 196a. arable and
pasture, 63a. wood and bog (except the abbey of Longford, and 1 cartron
of demesne land). Total, 3,000a. arable and pasture, 1,298a. wood and
bog ; also the castle, town, and lands of Granard-Shehan, alias Car-
tronecaslane, Racrenan, and Teemore, 3 cartrons ; with all the tithes
both great and small, all glebes, oblations, &c. ; rent, £36, Ir. To hold
to the heirs male of the said Francis and Margaret, and in default, to
the right heirs of the said Francis, in free and common soccage ; to
maintain two able horsemen of the English nation, well-furnished for
the defence of the country. In the lands marked thus * power to hold
courts leet and baron, appoint seneschals, with a jurisdiction imder
40s., Ir. ; the lands marked thus f a power to hold courts leet and
baron, appoint seneschals, with a jurisdiction under 40s., Ir. ; to enjoy

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 79

all waifs and, strays, to told a Saturday's market at the town of
Longford, and 2 fairs there, one on the Thursday next after
the Feast of the Pentecost, and the day following ; also a Monday's
market at the town of G-ranard, and 2 fairs there, one on the 23rd.
April and the next day, and the other fair on the festival of Saint
Matthew the Apostle and the next day, with courts of pie-powder, and
the usual tolls and customs. — 4th March. 17th."

For the authority of the following wholesale grants, see commission
set out in full at page 49.

Pat. 18, James, I., p. 466, (Facie) I. 1. — " Grant from the King to
Kobert Dillon, under the commission for the plantation of Ely
O'CarroU's country. — Longford County. The lands of Ballymulvey-
eightra, 76a. arable and pasture, and 52a. moor and wood ; Ballymulvey-
moghtra, 48a. arable and pasture, 22a. wood and moor ; Cloonkine and
Grarriloske, 160a. arable and pasture, and 47a. bog and wood; Bally-
branegan, 122a. arable and pasture, 57a. bog and wood, and a certain
parcel of wood called Derrymaccarr and Dirrybegg; moor and wood
lying in Mointaghcallow, excepting thereout all other woods and under-
woods in Mointaghcallow, in the barony of Rathclyn ; rent for the
pasture lands, £4 5s. 7d. Engl, and for the bog and wood, 10s. 9d. To
Hubert Dillon — The town and lands of Annagh, I65a. in the barony of
Shrowle; Dirry, alias Dirrynebane, 188a. arable and pasture, 75a.
wood and moor, and a parcel of wood called Edderra, in Mointagh-
callow, 60a., excepting all other wood and underwood in Mointagh-
callow, in the barony of Eathclyn ; rent of the pasture land, £3 13s. 6d.
Eng. ; and of the bog and wood 3s. 9d. To G-erald Murtagh — The cas'tle
and lands of Creevaghmore 212a. arable and pasture, and 25a. wood
and moor; Cloncallow, 35a. arable and pasture, 64a. bog 9,nd wot)d,
adjacent to Creevaghmore, and the river Bnhy, and half of Canenore-
wear in said river, with the bottom and soil of said river ; and a parcel
of wood called Derrygraige, Dirrinesky, and Derryloghbane ; 20a. in
Mointaghcuilime, aforesaid, barony of Rathclyn and Moidowe ; Corleagh,
151a.; Rynvanny, 85a. arable and 244a. bog and wood; Lehard, 4a.
adjacent to Corleagh, barony of Ardagh ; rent of the arable land.

80 HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD,

£5 Is. 5^d. Engl. ; and of the bog and wood, 15s. 9|d. To hold in
free and common soccage, but subject to forfeiture on assuming the
name, style, or title of the Great O'Farrall, or on paying any rent, tax-
ation, or service, or to divide the lands according to the Irish custom
of gavelkind, and subject to the other conditions of the plantation as
set out in Art. II., p. 450. All ancient glebe lands, rectories and
vicarages excepted. — 27 March. 18th."

II. 3. — "G-rant from the King under the same commission, to John
Ferrall. — Longford County. The lordship, castle, town and lands of
Ardenagh, viz., Upper and Lower Ardenagh, Faymore, Cloonmackelly,
Aghowdrissagh, Parke, CloancuUen, Turry, Aghevonyn, and Belaburgh,
261a. arable and pasture, and 27a. bog and wood ; TuUagh, 85a. arable,
and 24a. bog and wood ; Tobbernerye, 55a. pasture, and 7a. wood and
moor ; Leggan and Lisseclet, viz., Aghowinluigg, Eadayne, and
Aghowinroane, 7 la.; Agharrowe, and Lissevarrowe, 276a. arable, and
125a. bog and wood, excepting 20a. adjacent to the church of Agharow
as a glebe for said church, barony of Shrowle ; and also the wood of
Derryodneskeny, 30a. lying in Mointaghcallowe ; rent for the 728a.
pasture, £7 lis. 8d., and for the 230a. bog and wood, 8s. 10-^d. To
hold in free and common soccage to the heirs male of the said John,
and in default thereof to the heirs male of Iriell O'Farrell, his father,
and in default thereof to his right heirs. To Carbry McShane
O'Ferrall — Derrygawne, 207a. ; the wood of Derryglasse, 30a. in
Mointaghcallow, barony of Rathclyn; rent for the pasture lands,
£2 3s. l^d. Engl. ; and for the wood. Is. 3d. To Morgan, aZms Morrogh
Ferrall — The town and lands of Skehechan, viz., Tenebane, Lisschoile
and Lissechogill, 99a. arable, and 21a. wood and moor; Ballymacshane,
alias Kilmacshane, viz., Lughim and Aghenhorne, 99a. ; Cartron
McRory, 20a. ; Laggan, 45a., and a parcel of wood called the 2 Derry-
shanvoges, alias Derryshanmuck, 10 acres arable, and 50a. wood in
Mointaghcallowe, barony of Shrowle. To hold in free and common
soccage, to the heirs male of the said Morgan, and in default thereof to
the heirs male of Iriell O'Farrell, his father, and in default thereof to

HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 81

tHe right heirs of Morgan ; rent for the 273a. pasture, £2 16s. lO^d.,
Engl. ; and for the 71a. wood, 2s. ll^d. To Thadeus, alias Teige
McConnell Ferrall — Clonryn, 90a. arable, and 92a. wood and moor;
Aghenra, 20a. arable and pasture, 9a. bog and wood, adjoining
Clonryn; rent for the pasture lands, £1 2s. lid., Engl.; and for the
wood and moor, 4s. 2d. To Shane McRichard Ferrall — Ballinry, 59a. ;
Killoges, parcel of Lisanedew, 40a. arable, and 20a. wood and moor,
barony of Ardagh ; rent for the pasture lands, £2 Is. 5^d., Engl. ; and
for the bog, lOd. To James McWilham Ferrall — The castle, town and
lands of Ballymahon, 109a. pasture, and 44a. bog and wood, with the
water mill; Drynan, 109a. arable, and 25a. bog and moor, barony of
Eathclyn ; Moy, alias Moyeth, 39a. ; Beladrome, alias Baladrome, 48a.
arable, and 30a. wood and moor, and a parcel of Grillaghmene, barony
of Moydow; rent for the pasture lands, £3 5s. 2|d. ; and for the
wood, 4s. l^d. To Nicholas McEdmund Ferrall — Clonine, 92a. arable,
24a. bog and wood, barony of Shrowle ; rent for the pasture lands,
19s. 2d.; and for the bog and wood, 12d. To Patrick McHubert
Ferrall — Cloghanbeddy, Dromune, and Bealakip, 99a. arable, and 30a.
bog and wood, barony of Shrowle; rent for the pasture lands,
£1 Os. 7Jd; and for the bog and wood, Is. 3d. Engl. To Cahell
McHubert Ferrall — Clanany, 100a. arable, and lOa. bog and wood,
lying to the east, in the barony of Moydowe ; rent for the arable land,
£1 Os. lOd., Engl.; and for the bog and wood, 5d. To Wilham
McDonogh Ferrall — Upper Grranard, 38a. arable, and 30a. bog and
wood; Lissiarrielleightra, 118a. arable, and 12a. bog and wood, barony
of Ardagh; rent for the pasture land, £1 12s. 6d., Engl. ; and for the
bog and wood. Is. 9d. To Edmond McConnock Ferrall — Faslonfert,
alias Royldrinagh, 74a. arable, and 128a. bog and wood; Tonechurry,
56a. ; Killyvyan, 43a. arable, and 50a. bog and wood ; Lisnegomock and
Curraghytean, 57a., Clonbreny, 48a. arable, and 48a. bog and wood, and a
parcel of wood, lOa., called Dyirevehey, in Moinytaghcallowe, excepting
20a. in Clonbreny, adjacent to the church of Kildakmoge, as a demesne
for said church, barony of Rathclyn; rent for the pasture land,

82 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

£2 l7s.-lld., Engl.; and for the bog and wood, 9s. lOd. To Daniel
McConnick Farrell — The lands of Dowry, 30a. arable, and 3a. bog and
wood, adjacent to the townland of Aghencarm, Ahowcharran, and
Aghmevedoge, 34a., barony of Shrowle; a parcel of wood called
Carrelagh and Derregile, in Mointaghcallowe ; 20a. bog and wood,
and the liberty and common of turbe, in the bog of Listibbott
and Aghownoran, and free ingress and egress to said bog ; rent for
the pasture lands, £1 10s. 4d., and for the bog, wood, and turbary, ll^d. ;
all ancient glebe-lands, rectories, and vicarages excepted. To hold in
free and common soccage, and not to alienate the above lands to any
person but of the race or name of an Englishman, nor to take or
assume the style or title of the Great G'Ferrall, or to give or receive
rents, taxation, or services, or to divide lands, tenements, and heredita-
ments, according to the Irish custom of gavelkind. — 6 April. 18th."

P. 467, VI. 15. — " Surrender to the Crown, by Nathaniel Fox, of
all his interest, claim, and demand in his lands and premises in Long-
ford County.— 9 May. 18th."

VII. 16. — " Grant under the same commission to Nathaniel Fox. —
Longford County. The castle, town, and lands of Eathreagh, Corfo-
'brelaghes, 106a. arable and 60a. bog and wood; Kosart, 100a. pasture
and 50a. bog and wood ; Aghencoshlane, alias Coghegen, alias Sillian-
reagh, 87a. pasture, 9a. bog and wood; Aghdrissagh, alias Corrick-
stannell, 86a. pasture and 6a. bog and wood; Clonfermock, 37a.;
Agheneshioge and Cloghamore, alias Clonaghmore, 39a. pasture and
15a. bog and wood; Treely, 38a. pasture and 10a. bog and wood;
Kinard, I84a. ; Lorge, alias Lurge, 47a. ; Tanebegg and Skarvan, 44a. ;
Cargin, lOOa. pasture, 12a. bog and wood; Aghevenchor, 52a. pasture,
127a. bog and wood ; Agheneveloge, alias Aghaneveloge, 95a. pasture
and 20a. bog and wood; KilHncrobagh, Aghnekelly, Aghanderry,
Cloghgare, and Eath, 90a. pasture and 84a. bog and wood ; Cordarragh,
95a. pasture and 12a. bog and wood; Sillianmagoy, 71a. pasture and
37a. bog and wood, barony of Ardagh; Clonarde, 118a. pasture and
138a. bog and wood, barony of Eathclyn ; excepting 20a. of the lands

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGPOED. 83

of Rathreagli and the Oorfobulagh, adjoining the church of Rathreagh,
as glebe land, and also excepting 20a. adjacent to the church of Kilglass,
as glebe land ; rent for the pasture land, £6 16s. 3^d., and for the bog
and moor, 7s. 6d., with power to alienate as in former patent. To hold
in free and common soccage, and to enjoy all the tithes of hay, corn,
flax, hemp, wool, and lambs. — 10 May. 18th."

YIII. 17. — " Grrant under the same commission to Thomas Gierke,
— Longford. The town or quarter of Killineganagh and Gardaragh,
and a parcel or cartron of land called Fiermore, Oordarragh, Aghene-
voushin, and Aghoward, alias Lislea, 69a. ; Oashebegg, and a parcel or
cartron called Liscormack, Aghenehowlemoyle, Aghelurganchapnill, and
Curraghfine, alias Bellaghconmoger, 4ia. pasture and 14a. bog and
wood; the quarter of Lisclagh, alias Lismacmanus, alias Aghenegine,
and parcel of the cartron called Aghaneshannagh, Aghenstucka,
Agheneclorhefin, alias Aghnestribe, and Bumgenie, 76a. ; Formoy-
leoughhagh, 1 quarter, and a parcel of a certain cartron called Morene-
formolagh, Faigmore, Fairghenskehin, and Faighenturley, 64a. ; For-
moileightragh, 1 quarter, and a parcel of a cartron called Cargyboy,
Aghneleggy, Faigmore, Cowlefine, alias Loggan, and Murragh, 128a. ;
Carrowinlorry, 1 quarter, and a parcel or cartron of land called
Aghemanragh, Aghenlingboy, Aghenahowla, and Aghowleggagh, 24a.,
adjacent to the quarter of Carrowinlorry; Lisawley, ^ quarter, and
parcel of a cartron called Lisawley, Aughemore, Agheragh, and
Oaldorrigge, 34a. pasture and 7a. bog and moor, adjacent to the lands
of Cashelbegg; all ancient glebe lands, rectories, and vicarages
excepted ; rent for the arable lands, £6 5s., Engl., and for the bog and
wood, lO^d. ; with power to alienate, as in preceding patents. To hold
in free and common soccage, with all the tithes of corn, hay, flax, hemp,
wool, and lambs. — 11 May. 18th."

IX. 20. — "Grant under the same commission to James Ware,
Knight, Auditor-General, Longford County. — All the termon, territory
or precinct of land called Cloneogher, alias Clonoghery ; the cartron of
land called Coolnegor, Fyamore, Bunecloy, Ballyncor, Ballymore,

84 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

Toneyn, Aghanvilly, Aghawrahe, Garvagh, Bonowen, Leghetrien,
Killen, alias Killyney, Aghewneure and Aghownecrevey, in the said
termon or territory ; the termon, territory or precinct of Clonbreny,
"with the several parcels of land called Clonbrony, Fyamore, Kowe, alias
Eough, Leytrim, Cloncoose, alias Concoose, Laghellwoughtragh, Laghel-
leightragh, CuUefadda, alias Cuillaghfaddagh, Correlagh, Aughmore,
Clonenmullen, Marreogh, Termenagh, Ballynreaghan, Olonegormagan,
Tomenechoan, Cosculter, Lisnegatt and Direville, in the said termon or
territory ; the termon or corb-land of Ardagh, called Hoye's land, in the
fields of Ardagh and Bohermor, 2 cartrons ; the whole termon land of
Clindarragh, 4 cartrons, and Clenlonan, parcel of the same, 180a. pas-
ture and 70a. bog and wood; Killfenton, aZias Killf entons, adjacent to
the lands of Killosoneitragh and Killoneoghtragh, barony of Ardagh ;
rent for the pasture land, £2 19s. 9d. Irish, and for the bog and wood,
4s. 9d. ; Cloghan, alias Ologhans, 1 cartron ; Moinskellaghan, 1 cartron ;
Etwerby, 2 cartrons; Moneard, 1 cartron; Killinbea, 1 cartron; and
Clonemuckerry, 1 cartron ; with all their appurtenances, parcel of the
late dissolved abbey or monastery of Monasterdirge, alias Monasterick,
rent, £2 Os. 6d. Irish. To hold in free and common soccage, and to
enjoy all waifs and strays, with free warren and all fines and emolu-
ments.— 6 May. 18th."

X. 21. — " Grrant under the same commission to Thomas Beare. —
Longford County. The 2 Cloghcornells, viz., Cloghercornellwoghtragh
and Cloghercornellyeightragh, 272a. ; the castle and lands of Creeve,
Gounod, Aghenedin and Killinteige, 173a. arable and 139a, bog and
wood, except 3a. pasture granted to the Lord Baron of Delvin ; Ballinrud,
56a, pasture and 80a. bog and wood; rent for the pasture lands,
£6 OS,, and for the bog and wood, 9s. l^d. ; all ancient lands, rectories
and vicarages excepted. To hold in free and common soccage, with all
tithes, great and small, oblations and obventions, wrecks of the sea, and
with power to make tenures. — 10 May. 18th."

XIII. 31. — " Grant under commission to Brent Moore. — Longford
County. The towns and lands of Clonkilly, 115a. arable and 90a. bog

HISTORY OF THE COIINTY LONGFORD. 85

and,wood; in Clonemore, Agheneskehene, 104a. pasture and 70a. moor
and wood ; Aghetacken, 66a. ; Shervoge, 103a. ; Rarrenure and Aghe-
keirin, 12a. pasture and 5a. bog and wood ; Derryda Macmoriertagh,
wood, 60a., barony of Moydow ; rent for tlie pasture land, £5, Bnglish,
and for tbe bog and wood, 9s. 4|d. To liold in free and common
soccage. — 28 June. I8th."

XIY. 33.—" Surrender to the Crown by Bdmond Nugent Fitz-
Piers, of the following lands. — Longford County. Carhi, 1 cart. ; half of
Corehelline, Killemodagh, 8a. ; half of Cartrenreogh, barony of G-ranard. —
1 June. 18th."

XY. 33. — " Grant under the same commission to Bdmond Nugent
Fitz-Piers. — Longford County. The castle, town and lands of Castlen-
brock, 114a. pasture, 33a. bog and wood; Killinesoy, 57a. pasture, 12a.
bog and wood ; Senclone, part, 11a., barony of Grranard ; Camagh, 78a.
p9,sture and 109a. bog and wood: Laughill, 165a. pasture and 234a.
bog and wood ; Caloge, 107a. ; Clonemacknee and Clonewhelan, 78a.
pasture, 185a. bog and wood ; and Monedarragh, 71a., barony of Ardagh;
rent for the pasture lands, £4 18s. O^d., English, and for the bog and
wood, 9s. 5^d. To Gerard Nugent — The castle, town and lands of Lis-
sagheneden, Killeoge and Aghnegeeragh, 372a. pasture, 76a. bog and
wood, excepting 40a. pasture and 20a. moor, near BalKnrye, lately
assigned to Shane O'Ferrell; Leackan, 154a. pasture and 82a. bog and
wood ; Cranelaghes, 18a., barony of Ardagh ; Ballinegossanagh, in
Correboy, 19a.; Gurtincaslane, 19a., barony of Longford; rent for the
pasture land, £6 7s. lid., Bnglish, and for the bog and wood, 5s. 9d.
To Maurice Dillon — The town and lands of Oornecarte, 65a. pasture and
9a. bog and wood ; MoUemorne, 76a. pasture and 49a. bog and wood ;
Cartrenboy, .8a. ; Aghowhinlarragh, 47a. pasture and 20a. bog and
wood ; Monefadda and Quillagh, 50a., barony of Rathclyn ; rent for the
pasture land^ £3 Is. 3d., and for the bog and wood, 3s. 3d. To Connell
Maclrriell Ferrall — Tirelecken, 154a. pasture and 40a. bog and wood;
Killgeffrey, 156a. pasture and 78a. bog and wood; Lissenoske, 31a.,
barony of Rathclyn ; Barnenure, 87a. pasture and 55a. wood and moor,

86 HISTOBY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

in the territory of Moyh ; Lynyneightragli and Boherboy, 79a. pasture
and 88a. wood and moor, barony of Moydow ; a parcel of wood called
G-rellagligarragli, alias Grillagligarrowe, alias Clonfeigb, Annaghmore
and Annaglilegg, 80a. ; rent for the pasture land, £5 6s. 7^d., and the bog
and wood, 14s. l|^d. To Edward MacBrien — The town and lands of
Aghedonnogho, near Aghafin, 69a.; Aghentarra and Grarryandrowe,
37a., rent, £1 2s. Igd. To Thomas Kearnan — Rahcor and Agheneveloge
alius Aghnevedag, 66a. ; Tegarwe, 43a., except 20a. of same adjoining
the church of Clonbrany, as glebe land ; Aghenekelly, east part, 7a., in
the territory of Muntergarran, barony of Granard; rent, 20s. To James
Nugent — Ballagh, Dromenchreher, Coolrowan, and all parts of the
territory of Muntergerran, adjoining the lands of Clonyne, containing
120a. arable, and 36a. moor, bog and underwood ; Kilmore east and
north, adjoining the waters of Loughgawny, with the fishing of the same,
barony of G-ranard; rent for the arable, £1 3s. lOd., English; for the
bog and wood, lid. To hold in free and common soccage ; all ancient
glebes, vicarages and rectories excepted. — 2 June. 18th."

XVIII. 41. — " Grant under the same commission to John Knocks. —
Longford County. The town and lands of Ballyduff, 600a.j adjoining
the lands of Formoyle and Larte, barony of Granard, and all tithes
great and small ; rent, £6 5s., Engl. The above lands created
into the manor of Knock, with power to hold courts leet and baron,
and to have jurisdiction in all actions for debt under 40s., Ir. To hold
in free and common soccage. — 5th August. 18th."

P. 469, XXX. 3. — Commission directed to Sir Francis Aungier,
Knt., Master of the Rolls, Sir Christopher Sibthorpe, Knt., Justice of
the court of chief place ; Sir Christopher Nugent, Knt., Henry Crofton,
Esq., High Sheriff of the County of Longford ; Maurice Fitzgerald,
Robert Dillon, of Caneston ; Edmund Nugent, Edward Doivdall, Andrew
Nugent, Thomas Nugent, of Coolamber; George Griffeth, and Henry
Piers, Esquires, as Commissioners of the new plantation of Longford,
for the purpose of deciding all questions, controversies and troubles
between the undertakers and natives in said county, that might arise

HXSTOBYOFTHE COUNTY , LONGFORD 87

tLropgh tile alteration of possession in settling their several proportions,
and to see such former pretended inheritors as could not be made free-
holders in the said plantation provided for, and placed as lessees and
tenants under the undertakers and principal natives who have pro-
portions of land ; also, to ascertain the mears and bounds of said lands,
according to a Schedule hereto annexed. — 10 April. 18th."

" SCHEDULE.

" 1. Tney are to take view of Schedule under the Survey's hands,
containing the names of such pretended freeholders in the County of
Longford as were seised of 100a. after the deduction of a fourth part,
&c., and who, by his Majesty's instructions, could not be made free-
holders.

"2. To consider how they, or any of them, may, without inconvenience
or just grievance, be placed as tenants under the principal natives,
former patentees excepted, or undertakers of the said county, always
foreseeing that there be a convenient demesne left to the said principal
native or undertaker, lying near his house, to the number of 300a. at
the least.

"3. The estates to be made to the said lessees, to be made for 3 lives,
41 years, or under, as said Commissioners shall see cause.

" 4. The quantities to be appointed to each lessee to be had at the
discretion of the Commissioners, having respect to their former holding,
and to their present ability and likelihood to manure and stock the
same ; and none to be respected therein, but such as they shall find to
have been of honest behaviour, and for the most part householders.

" 6. The rent to be set down at the discretion of the Commissioners,
having respect to the value of the land, near the rate Avhich the land
may be now set for, bond fide.

" 6. If any difference arise in the country for the mears and bounds
of any towns or villages, for or by reason of auy claim of land under
pretence of names inserted or not inserted in any patent, the Commis-
sioners are to decide the same, wherein they are to observe that old

88 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

mears are not to be questioned, but ttat each man's proportion is to
stand according to the number of acres now assigned to him, and
according as the same was lately measured together, as the mears
thereof were shown to the measurers and by them trodden with the
chain, according to his Majesty's direction in that behalf.

"7. If any difference shall arise for setting out the glebes now
granted by his Majesty, when the measurers shall come down to lay
them out, the Commissioners are to decide the same, always taking care
that those lands be laid most conveniently to the several churches.

" 8. The Commissioners are also to view and appoint the places
where the several undertakers shall build, which are to be chosen either
near the straites or otherwise, as shall be most fit for the settlement and
security of the country.

" 9. When the measurers shall have come down to set forth and
measure the particular portions of towns or villages assigned to any
undertakers or natives, for filling up his number of acres; if any
difference in that case arise, the Commissioners are to order the same,
according to the true intent of their several patents, and as shall be
found most convenient for each party ; and this be as well for arable
lands, profits of rivers, as for bog and wood."

XXXVIII. 9. — " King's letter, directing that the 400a. in Longford
and Ely O'CarroU, appointed to be granted to William and James
Lermeuth, he conferred on James and Robert Forbes, brothers of
Captain Arthur Forbes ; subject to the condition of the plantation. —
Westminster, 13th January. 17th."

P. 472, XL VI. 13.— 'f King's letter, directing the Lord Deputy to
send to England, with the Survey of Longford, Ely O'CarroU and
Leitrim, Wm. Parsons, Surveyor- General, whose judgment in those
affairs and experience in the whole course of the plantations will enable
him to answer any questions that may arise in the dispatch of the
business of the plantations, as we have found by experience they are
the only ordinary means to reduce the people to civility and religion ;

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 91

and ,in Hs absence to take care that he sustains no injury in his
employments or perquisites of office. — Westminster, 26th Feb. l7th."

XLIX. — " Complaint presented by the Lord Delvin, Sir Christopher
Plunkett, and Mr. Dougan, Recorder of Dublin, setting forth to James
Rex, among other things, the bad system prevalent throughout Lein-
ster, of the Registry of Deaths, &c., &c. ; Spirit Licenses, Ploughing by
the Tail, Registry of Horses, &c., &c." (p. 472).

LX. 21. — " King's letter to Sir Richard Nugent, Lord Delvin,
doubting lest there might be omission or misrecital in former letters
patent, and that in order that he may securely and quietly enjoy his
possessions, to have a new grant of the late dissolved monastery or
abbey of Inchmore, alias Inishmore, in the County of Longford, and the
late dissolved priory and manor of Fower, in the County of Westmeath,
and all his other lands and tenements, subject to such tenures, rents,
and services as they appear of record formerly to have been subject to —
Westminster, 15 July. 18th."

" G-rant under the commission for the plantation in Longford, etc.,
to James McConnell Farrall. — Longford County. The castle, town, and
lands of Tenelick, with one water-mill and 145a. ; Lisgilbert, 90a. ;
Macereogh, 60a. ; 2 Drombardoons, 268a. ; Cartronfyn, 67a. ; Kilcurre,
120a. pasture, 8a. wood and bog ; Kyllynegawkan, 208a. ; Pellicebegg,
86a. pasture, and 8a. bog and wood ; Rath, 98a. ; Killmacshane, alias
Ballyclynshemas, 77a. pasture, and 42a. bog and wood ; Killynevoare,
27a. pasture, and 15a. bog and wood; Lismacmurgh, 22a. ; Knappoge
and Tybber, 170a. pasture, and 68a. bog and wood, barony of Shrowle;
Bally kenny, 180a. pasture, and 60a. bog and wood; Kilmore, 291 a. pasture,
and 194a. wood and bog ; and 1 water-mill on the lands of Tullagh,
containing 70a. pasture, and 70a. bog and wood, adjacent to Ballykenny,
barony of Longford, and a parcel of bog and wood called Derrychanbegg,
Derrychanmore, and Derrychanbulskane, 55a. To hold in capite, by
military service ; with remainder to his heirs male, and in default
thereof to Faghny McConnell Farrall, his brother, and his heirs male,
and in default thereof to the right of the said James ; rent for the

G

92 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOBD.

2,035a. pasture, £2 3s. lljd., and for the 466a. bog and wood, 14s. 8d.,
Engl. The above lands erected into the manor of Teneliok, with 600a.
for demesne lands, power to hold courts leet and baron, to appoint
seneschals and other officers, and to have jurisdiction in all actions for
debt, covenant, and trespass for any sum under 40s., Ir. ; to have free
warren and park ; to enjoy all waifs, strays, all wrecks of the sea, and
all tithes, great and small ; 1 yearly fair, to be held for ever at Drom-
barden, alias Taghseny, on 29 June, the feast of St. Peter the Apostle,
with a court of pie-powder, and the usual tolls and customs ; rent, 20s.,
Engl. To Faghny McOonnell Farrall — Longford County. Coweishell,
140a. pasture, 210a. bog and wood; Drombane, 160a. ; Killinlasseragh,
Lissivare, and 1 water-mill, 170a. pasture, 203a. bog and wood; Drom-
logher and Grrillagh, 122a. pasture, and 49a. bog and wood; Cloncawell,
73a. pasture, and 101a. bog and wood ; barony of Ardagh. To hold
in free and common soccage for ever to him, and in default thereof to the
heirs of his brother, James McOonnell Farrall, and in default thereof
to his right heirs; rent for the 655a. pasture, £6 l8s. 6Jd., and for the
563a. bog and wood, 17s. 72d., Engl. The above lands erected into
the manor of Killinlasseragh, with courts leet and baron, and power to
appoint seneschals and other officers, with jurisdiction in all actions for
debt, covenant, and trespass, for any sums under 40s., Ir. ; to enjoy all
waifs and strays,'and to have all wrecks of the sea, and the tithes, great
and small. To Grerald McKeady Farrall — Longford County. Core-
cloncallowe, Balletampane, alias Monetampane, Tennecossane, and
Killingall, 124a. pasture, and 113a. bog and wood ; Cartronkeele and
Kaldrakevin, 84a. pasture, and 68a. bog and wood, barony of Moidowe ;
rent for the 208a. arable, £2 3s. 4d., and for the I9la. bog and wood,
7s. Hid., Engl. To Edmund McHubbert Farrall— Longford County.
Liscormick, 41a. pasture, and 14a. bog and wood; Calvamanus, 43a.
pasture, barony of Shrowle ; rent for the 122a. pasture, £1 6s. 5\d.,
and for the 48a. bog and wood, 2s., Engl. To Donell McWilliam
Farrall — Derrymore, 64a. ; Tril, 30a. wood and underwood ; rent for
the pasture lands, £1 10s. 4d., Engl, and for the 30a. underwood, 3d.

HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFOKD. 93

To Keadagh McConnell Farrall — Longford County. Camlisks, adjacent
to the lands of Lacken and MuUinvroe, containing ll3a. ; rent,
£1 6s. 6|d. To Rictard McBrian Farrall — Longford County. Dirry-
negody, 61a., barony of Longford ; rent, 6s., Engl. To William
McOwny Farrall — Longford County, Killemehan and Derrinecross, 61a.
pasture, and 394a. wood and bog, barony of Longford ; rent for the 60a.
pasture land, 12s. 6d., and for the 394a. wood and bog, 8s. 2d., Engl.
To Murrough McTirlagh Farrall — Liscarrileightra, 45a. pasture, and
5a. bog and wood ; Lisscarrillowghtragh, 1 3a. ; Ballymacwilliam-
owghtra, 47a., barony of Ardagh ; rent for the 105a. pasture,
£1 Is. lO^d., Engl., and for the 5a. bog and moor, 2^d. To hold in
free and common soccage, with all the usual clauses as are inserted for
the native proprietors ; to enjoy all waifs and strays ; to have free
warren and all wrecks of the sea, with tithes, both great and small ;
all antient glebes, vicarages, and rectories excepted; not to alien or
make leases to any person not of the English race or name. — 10th
July. 18th."

XXVIII. 12.— "Grant from the King to Gerald Murtagh.—
Longford County. The ruined fort of Ballybighand, the lands of
Braccagh, Belaleigh, Knock, and Aghamore, 200a. pasture, [and 30a,
wood and moor ; Clonbonmogh, Garry and Corry, 200a. pasture, and
10a, wood and moor ; Leary, 224a. pasture, and 100a. bog and moor ;
excepting 60a. of Leary, assigned to Lisagh Oge O'Farrall ; rent for the
ruined fort, and 564a. pasture, £5 l7s. 6d., Engl. ; and for l40a. bog
and wood, cs. lOd. To hold a Tuesday market, and a fair on St,
Peter and St. Paul's, at Belaleigh, for ever, with a court of pie-powder,
and the usual tolls and customs ; rent, £1, Ir, To Andrew Verdon —
Longford County. Eathmore and Bealagare, part 100a., adjacent to
the lands of Tangie, barony of Shrowle; rent, £1 Os, lOd., Engl, To
Donald McJames Farrall — Longford County, Prucklesan, alias Phru-
lesan, 74a, pasture, and bog and wood ; rent for the 74a, pasture,
15s, 5d., Engl.; and for the iSa. bog and wood, 9d. ; all ancient glebes,
rectories, and vicarages excepted. To hold in soccage for ever, in the

94 HrSTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

territory of Ely O'Carroll, with the usual covenants to native pro-
prietors, not to set or let to the mere Irish, but to persons of the
English race or name. — 18 Aug. 18th."

II. 2. — " Grant from the King to OHver Fitzgerald, gent. — Long-
ford County, in Eathcline barony. The town of Moylackan, containing a
water-mill, and 1,045a. arable and pasture, l77a. bog and wood; except
all glebe lands, with their tithes. To hold for ever by military service ;
rent for the arable and pasture, 23s. 0|d., Engl. ; and for the bog and
wood, 7s. 0|d. To G-arrott Fitzgerald, gent. — The town and lands of
Carrowle, 198a. arable and pasture, and 165a. bog and wood, 7s. O^d. ;
6a. arable and pasture in Cornedoogh, and Barneviaragh, adjoining
Carrowle ; and the wood of Dirriechallin, in the Mointaghcallowe, 20a.
arable and pasture, and 40a. bog and wood, in said barony, lately in the
tenure of Connor McThomas O'Mulvihill ; except all the other woods
and underwoods in the Mointaghcallow, and all glebe lands, with their
tithes. To hold for ever, as of the Castle of Dublin, in free and common
soccage ; rent for the arable and pasture, 46s. 8d., Engl. ; and for the
bog and wood, 8s. 6^d. To Teige McConnocke, gent. — The town and
lands of Lislea, 105a. arable and pasture, also 58a. arable and pasture,
and 14a. bog and wood, in Corbally, adjoining Glanmore, and 50a.
arable and pasture, and lOa. bog and wood in Glanmore, adjoining the
lands of Corbally, in Moydow barony ; the town and lands of Lisglassoge,
52a. arable and pasture, and 10a. bog and wood, in Shrowle barony ;
except the glebe lands, with their tithes. To hold for ever, in
free and common soccage; rent for the arable and pasture, 12s. 6d.,
Engl. ; and for the bog and wood, 5d. To William Oge O'FarroU,
gent. — The town and lands of Ballymicknemeaeltra, 60a. arable and
pasture, and 16a. bog and wood, in Shrowle barony; the wood of Clonagh-
beg, otherwise Clonberly, in the Mointaghcallowe, 12a. bog and wood;
except all other woods and underwoods in the Mointaghcallowe, and
the glebe lands, with their tithes. To hold, &c., as before ; rent for
the arable and pasture, 12s. 6d., Engl. ; and for the bog and wood, 14d.
To Connor Ferrall, gent. — Kynaghootra, 52a. arable and pasture,

HISTORY OF THE COITNTY LONGPOED. 95

and 87a. bog and wood ; Lawghill, and TuUenedalle, 159a. arable
and pasture, 56s. 2|d., Engl, and for the bog and wood, Is. 5d. To
Richard Fitzgerald, gent. — The town and lands of Cornedoogh and
Barneviaragh, in Rathclin barony, except 6a. adjoining the town of
Corrowe; 171a. arable and pasture, and la. bog and wood ; the woods
of Corleagh and Dirrebroliske, 30a. bog and wood ; except glebe lands,
with their tithes. To hold, &c., as before; rent for the arable and
pasture, 35s. 7Jd., Eng., and for the bog and wood, 4s. 7|d. To Lissagh
Oge O'FarroU, gent. — 60a. arable and pasture ; lOa. arable and pasture,
and 10a. bog and wood, in Leherie, adjoining Corfin and TuUeveran,
in Rathclin barony ; except the glebe lands, with arable and pasture,
and 98a. bog and wood ; Creagh, 34a. arable and pasture, and 50a. bog
and wood; Carfcron-Ivare, 66a. arable and pasture, and 15a. bog and
wood, in Rathlin barony; a parcel of wood and underwood, called
Edera, adjoining Lawghill, 30a. ; except the glebe lands, with their
tithes. To hold, &c., as before; rent for the arable and pasture,
£3 4s. 9^d., Engl., and for the bog and wood, 8s. 8d. To Garrott
McShane FarroU, gent. — The town and lands of Cornemucklagh, 145a.
arable and pasture, and 61a. bog and wood; Kildordan, 71a. arable and
pasture, in Shrowle barony ; except the glebe lands, with their tithes.
To hold, &c., as before ; rent for the arable and pasture, 45s., Engl.,
and for the bog and wood, 2s. 6^d. To Lissagh M'Connock Farrall,
gent. — The town and lands of Listibbot, 28a. arable and pasture, and
40a. bog and wood ; Killiateeteige, 68a. arable and pasture, and 26a.
bog and wood ; except glebe lands, with their tithes. To hold, &c., as
before ; rent for the arable and pasture, 20s., Engl., and for the bog
and wood, 2s. 9d. ; saving of a right for 3 years to raise and draw away
timber, stones, and slates. The tenants of the grantees to erect their
houses in town-reeds, and not scattered, under a penalty of £5 per
annum for every house not so built ; each grantee to sow la. of hemp
for every 100a. ; to exact no uncertain rents or Irish exactions ; not to
demise for a longer term than] 31 years to any mere Irish, or not of
English descent or name, on penalty of forfeiture ; like penalty for

96 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

rebellious or treasonable practices, for taking the name of the Grreat
OTarroU, or for demising any lands on the Irish tenure of gavelkind. —
10 July. 18th."

P. 490, XIII. 30.—" Grant from the King to Richard Browne and
Mary, his wife, lately wife of James Mclrriell Farrall. — Longford
County. The towns and lands of Cargin, 48a. arable and pasture, and
25a. wood and bog; Lissekitt, 51a.; Olonskoteightra, 61a. arable and
pasture and 21a. wood and bog ; Olonkeene, 49a. arable and pasture,
and 24a. wood and bog; Caldraghmore, 69a. arable and pasture,
and 39a. wood and bog; the castle and lands of Castlereogh, with
a water-mill, 203a. arable and pasture, and 125a. wood and bog;
Tonyn, 53a. ; Clonevett, 38a. arable and pasture, and 25a. wood
and bog ; Clonkirr, 201a. arable and pasture, 69a. wood and bog ;
Lissegory, 52a. ; Bruckin, 64a. arable and pasture, and 44a. wood
and bog ; Cullagh, 50a. arable and pasture, and 72a. wood and
bog ; 45a. in Multyny, adjoining Aghenaspick ; Oorrelagan, in capita,
by military service; rent, £8, English. To Eoger Tarrall, son and
heir of James Maclrriel Farrall — The castle, town and lands of Mornyn,
with a water-mill ; the town and lands of Bealagh, Mauragh,
Coryn and Clonefad, 268a. arable and pasture, and 131a. wood and bog ;
Oorrkreaghan, 132a. ; Corhobereny, 69a. ; Clonscotoughtra, 97a. arable
and pasture, and 40a. wood and bog, all in Moydowe barony ; Barry-
begg, 70a. ; f of Doory, estimated to contain 62a. arable and pasture,
and 8a. wood and bog, adjoining the town and lands of Aghnoran, con-
taining 88a. arable, 49a. arable and pasture, and 22a. wood and bog ;
all in Moydowe barony ; Clantymoylan, 63a. arable and pasture, and
208a. wood and bog, in Ardagh barony ; except all ancient glebes belong-
ing to rectories or vicarages ; containing in all 1,096a. arable and pas-
ture, and 689a. wood and bog. To hold during the life of said Mary ;
remainder to Roger Farrall, son and heir of the aforesaid James
Mclrriel Farrall, and the heirs male of said Roger ; remainders to the
heirs male of Irriell, father of said James Mclrriell ; remainder to
the right heirs of said Roger for ever. To hold and pasture, and 6a.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGPORD. 97

wood and bog, in Shrowle barony ; a parcel of wood and underwood
called tbe Moher, 167a. inMoydowe barony; Clogbankeogh., Garrimore,
Agbelost and Tornegeegt., 193a. arable and pasture; Camaghmore,
CoUokenurbill, Aghnegrannagb and Shanvallyloskey, 171a.; CamagL.-
begg and Aghanaspick, 75a. arable and pasture, all in said barony ;
Neddevarry, Boledrynagh and Carrowgurtin, 79a. arable and pasture ;
64a. arable and pasture, and 29a. wood and moor in Agboneagh, next
adjoining Castlereogli and Mornyn ; 9a. arable and pasture in the Ardes,
Agliebowne and Kilmakonlane, next adjoining CuUegh. ; 34a. arable and
pasture in Clonany, next adjoining Bruckin ; 4a. arable and pasture in
Knockantirlagli, next adjoining Lissegory; Corromore, 71a. arable and
pasture, and 55a. wood and moor, in said barony ; -^ of Aghnegore,
Grarrynecrech, BealadriMd, Munyhille, Shee, Tawnarrigge, Royn,
Clonard, Cloncorkie, Meelegg, Ouappoge, Tristernan, Ballyntobber,
Thogher and Curraghmore, being 82a. arable and pasture, and 108a.
wood and moor, in Longford barony ; ^ of the wear of Snavosule, on the
Shenen ; Eneyn, 40a. arable and pasture, and 46a. wood and moor ;
Litter keeragh and Tonemachugh, 40a. arable and pasture, and l74a.
wood and moor ; Crodromyne, 4a. arable a pasture, all in said barony ;
Briskelbegg and Briskilmore, 60a. arable and pasture, and 260a. wood
and moor ; the parcels of wood and underwood called Donchill, Mag-
herymeene, Magherygarrowe, and one of the three Clontees, next
adjoining Derryoghill, being 30a. wood and moor, in Rathclin barony ;
all the ancient glebes pertaining to any rectory or vicarage within the pre-
mises excepted ; the whole being 1,712a. arable and pasture, and 1,414a.
wood and moor. To hold in cajnte by Knight's service, by the said
Roger Farrall, and his heirs male ; remainder to the heirs male of Irriell
Farrall, grandfather of Roger ; remainder to the right heirs of said
Roger forever; rent, £12, English. The castle of Mornyn and all the
rest of the premises to be the manor of Mornyn, with 1,000a. of demesne
land; license to alienate the rest to any persons not being mere Irish in
blood and name ; to hold a court leet and view of frank-pledge twice
in the year, also a court baron, with jurisdiction of debts under 40s.

98 HISTORY OF THE COL'NTV LONGFORD.

Irish, with the fees and other perquisites thereof. In case Eoger
Farrall die before the age of 21 years without heirs male, the premises
to go to his sister, Jane Farrall, and her assigns, for fifteen years after,
with remainder to the heirs male of Eoger, and afterwards to his right
heirs, she and her assigns paying to the heirs of Roger during said
period £20, English, annually, besides the £20 payable to the Grown
thereout. To Terence Farrall — The town and lands of Corrycahill, 53a.
arable and pasture ; 100a. arable and pasture in Bderclone and Grortin-
roe, next adjoining Corrylongford, in Grranard barony ; all glebes, as in
preceding, excepted. To hold for ever, as of the Castle of Dublin, in
free and common soccage; rent, 31s. lO^d., English. To Keadagh
McConnell Farrall — The town and lands of Bealanamore and Caldragho-
bedagh, 79a. arable and pasture, and 91a. wood and moor, in Moydow
barony ; Clontehy, 18a. arable and pasture, and 221a. wood and moor ;
Clonelane, 40a. arable and pasture, and I70a. wood and moor, in Long-
ford barony; all glebes, as before, excepted; all being 13 7a. arable and
pasture, and 482a. wood and moor, lOs. 0|d. To Edmund Nugent Fitz-
Edward, the town and lands of Tonyn, 97a. arable and pasture, in
Grranard barony ; 130a. arable and pasture, in Killereher and Bealacryn,
next adjoining Janaghmore, in Longford barony ; 33a. arable and
pasture, and 1 5a. wood and moor, in Janaghmore and Bundonagh, next
adjoining Killereher; Corkillen, 49a. arable and pasture ; a moiety of
Shangar, 32a. arable and pasture, and 145a. wood and moor ; a moiety
of Donchill, 16a. arable and pasture ; all glebes, as before, excepted. To
hold, &c., as before; rent for the 357a. arable and- pasture,
£3 14s. 4^d., English, and for 160a. wood and bog, 3s. 4d. To John,
otherwise Shane McHulbert O'Farrell, ^ of Clonrollo, 20a. arable and
pasture, and 135a. wood and moor, in Longford barony ; f of Shen-
ballyteige, being 82a. arable and pasture ; all glebes, as before, excepted.
To hold, as before ; rent for the 102a. arable and pasture, 21s. 3d.,
English, and for the 136a. wood and bog, 5s. 7^d. The grantees to
allow the cutting down, raising and drawing away of timber, stone,
plates and sand, during three years, for erecting buildings in Longford

HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 99

County, or Ely 0' Carroll ; to exact no uncertain rents or Irisli exactions;
to cause their tenants to build in town-reeds and not dispersedly, on
penalty of £5, English, for each offence ; to sow hemp at the rate of la.
for every 100a. ; to forfeit any lands granted to mere Irish, and not of
English surname ; not to assume the ' title of the Glreat O'Farrall or to
let the lands according to the Irish custom of gavelkind, on pain of
forfeiture.— 8th Feb. 18th."

XIV. 34. — " Grant from the King to Kedagh McLisagh Farrall. —
Longford County. The towns and lands of Clonfowre, viz., Kilnerana,
Knocknedarragh, Trienboy, Carrownegappull, Carrowarale, Boynagh,
Aghentobane, CarrowenchoUen, Carrownaghyady, Corgarruff, Carrow-
nesringie, Carrowneshane, and Shanballyhugh, parcel of Clonfore, 279a.
arable and pasture, and 106a. wood and bog ; -^-f of Aghnegor, G-arryne-
crech, Bealadrehid, Munyhill, Shee, Tawnarigg, Royn, Clonard, Clan*
korky, Meelegg, Knappoge, Trislernan, Ballintober, Clogher, and
Curraghmore, towards the west and adjacent to Clonogher and the
River Shenen ; 221a. arable and 158a. bog and wood, and f of the weir
of Shanveowle, on said river ; Clonsillen, 100a. wood, underwood, and
bog, near Monytaghcallowe ; all other woods and underwoods in
Moinytaghcallowe, and 126a. wood and bog ; Cloncalgo, 18a. arable and
pasture and 105a. wood and bog; Clongiherry, l8a. arable and pasture,
and 107a. wood and bog. — Longford County. 22a. arable and pasture
in Corry-Longford, next adjoining Ewkynyeghtragh ; all ancient glebes
excepted. To hold, &c., as before; rent for the 158a. arable and
pasture, 32s. lid., Engl., and for the 796a. wood and bog, 16s. 8d.. To
Grillernow O'Kenny and Tirlagh M'Uhny Farrall — Dromodowtra and
Gurtinboy, 102a. arable and pasture; Carhowmeanagh, 23a. arable and
pasture, and 30a. wood and bog, in Moydow barony ; all ancient glebes
excepted. To hold, &c., as before; rent for the 125a. arable and
pasture, 26s. 0|d., Engl., and for the 34a. wood and bog, I7d. To
Eory McCahell Farrall — Longford County. Leytrim, 95a. arable and
pasture and Ilia, wood and bog, in Longford barony; all ancient glebes
excepted. To hold, &c., as before ; rent for the 95a. arable and pasture,

lOO HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

19s. lO^d., Bng., and for the Ilia, wood and bog, 4s. .6^d. To Thomas
McTeige Farrall — Clonyn, 73a. arable and pasture, and 40a. wood and
bog ; 78a. arable and pasture, and 20a. wood and bog in Tenemoldone,
next adjoining Clonyn, in Grranard barony; all ancient glebes excepted.
To hold, &c., as before ; rent for the 151a. arable and pasture, 31s. 6^d.,
Engl., and for the 60a. wood and bog, 2s. 6d. To James McMelaghlin
Farrall — Oarricke, 64a. arable and pasture, and 176a. wood and bog;
Clonproghlissee, 82a. arable and pasture, and 85a. wood and bog, in
Longford barony; all ancient glebes excepted. To hold &c., as before ;
rent for the 136a. arable and pasture, 28s. 4d., Engl., and for the 261a.
wood and bog, 10s. lO^d. To Peter or Piers McMelaghlin Farrall —
Clonart, 24a. arable and pasture, and 116a. wood and bog; Clonin-
slughtamagha, 15a. arable and pasture, and 73a. wood and bog;
Bunenassa, Boheene, and Clonynbegg, 24a. arable and pasture, and
252a. wood and bog; Aghnagh, 16a. arable and pasture, and 180a. wood
and bog ; Clonbarr, 10a. arable and pasture, and 49 a. wood and bog, in
Longford barony ; all ancient glebes excepted. To hold, &c., as before ;
rent for the 89a. arable and pasture, 18s. 6^d., Engl., and for the 670a.
wood and bog, l3s. ll-^d. To Magha M'Shane Farrall — Ballagh
Iknolane, 63a. arable and pasture, 149a. wood and bog ; Corgrany, 20a.
arable and pasture, and 220a. wood and bog, in Longford barony ; all
ancient glebes excepted. To hold, &c., as before; rent for the 83a.
arable and pasture, 17s. 3^d., Engl., and for the 369a. wood and bog,
15s. 4^d. To Robert Magenor — 420a. arable and pasture, 108a. wood
and bog, in Leytrim, Lisnecorr, Lismacgillegad, Aghnekille, Ooolerowan,
Aghekanan, Toome, Corbane, and other parts of the territory or precinct
of Mountergarran, in Granard barony, next adjoining the County of
Cavan, and as far as Loughgawny, with an island there called Inesh-
kerin ; all ancient glebes excepted. To hold, &c., as before the
420a. arable and pasture and 12a. wood and bog, in Lisryan, next
adjoining Kilfenton and Blewtoge, in Ardagh barony; 21a. arable and
pasture and 6a. wood and bog in Freaghan, next adjoining Ballygoola ;
all ancient glebes excepted. To hold, &c., as before ; rent for the 120a.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 101

arable and pasture, 25s., Engl., and for the 18a. wood and bog, 9d. The
grantees to allow the assignees of the Lord Deputy 1)o cut, raise, and
draw away, during 3 years, timber, stone, sand, and slates, for buildings
in Longford County or Ely 0' Carroll country ; to cause their tenants to
build their houses in town-reeds for mutual defence, and not dispersedly,
on a penalty of £5 for each house so built ; to sow one acre with hemp for
every hundred acres ; not to let the lands on undetermined leases, nor to
grant lands to the mere Irish, or to per sons tio^ of English blood or surname,
for a longer term than three lives, or 40 years, on pain of forfeiture."
P. 492, XIX. 41.—" Grant from the King to James Yonge, Knt.—
Longford County. The castle, town andlands of Barne, 102a. arable, wood
and pasture, and 14a. bog ; Lissenure, 214a. arable, wood and pasture,
and 74a. bog; Tomdoghan, Liscahelmore, and Lisoweene, 217a. arable,
wood and pasture ; Lissegreesie and Gneeve, 122a. arable, wood and
pasture, and 268a. bog; Motvoad, 96a. arable, wood and pasture, and
43a. bog ; Kilsallagh and Cleamuck, 190a. arable, wood and pasture,
and 89a. bog; Aghadonoghowe, next adjoining Barne and Lissenure,
46a. arable, wood and pasture ; 13a. arable, wood and pasture in
Ballinrie, next adjoining Toandogham, all in or near Ardagh barony. To
hold for ever, in ca^pite, by military service ; rent for the 1,000a. arable,
wood and pasture, £12 10s., Engl. ; and for the 488a. bog, 20s. 4d.
The premises to be the manor of Barne, with 600a. of demesne land ;
license to set any part of the other lands to persons not being under-
takers in Longford, or Ely 0' Carroll, or mere Irish in blood and
surname, with a penalty of forfeiture for so doing. To hold a court
leet and view o£ frank-pledge at Barne, twice in the year; also a court
baron, with jurisdiction to the amount of 40s., Ir., with the fines,
forfeitures, and other perquisites thereof ; right reserved to the Crown
to cut, raise and draw timber, stone, sand and slates during three
years, for erection of buildings in Longford and Ely O'CarroU ; the
tenants to build their houses in town-reeds, and not dispersedly,
penalty of £5, Engl., for each offence ; to sow under one acre of hemp
annually for every 100 acres. — 20 July. 18th."

102 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

XXII. 47.— "Grant from the King to Thomas Dallyell, gent.—
Longford County. The town and lands of MoUalogher, 119a. arable
and pasture, 228a. wood and bog ; Lisenorlane, 63a. arable and pasture,
and 34a. wood and bog ; Mullagh, 65a. arable and pasture, and 23a.
wood and bog ; Liscloghan, 34a. arable and pasture, and 24a. wood and
bog; Aghereogh, 74a. arable and pasture, and 185a. wood and bog;
45a. arable and pasture, and 40a. wood and bog in TuUagh, adjoining
Mullagh, all being in Longford barony ; ancient glebe lands excepted ;
rent for the 400a. arable and pasture, £5, Engl., and for the 534a. wood
and bog, 22s. 3d. To Claude Hamilton, gent. — 400a. arable and
pasture, and 150a. wood and bog, in Bnnagh, adjoining Cavan County,
and Lough Gawney, in Granard barony ; ancient glebe lands excepted ;
rent for the arable and pasture, £5, Engl., and for the wood and bog,
6s. 3d. To hold for ever, as of the Castle of Dublin, in free and
common soccage, by fealty only ; the reservation of a right in the
Crown to cut timber and raise stone, sand and slates for three years,
for the erection of buildings in the Queen's County and Ely O'CarroU
country. The grantees to cause their tenants to build their houses in
town-reeds, and not dispersedly, on penalty of £5, Engl., for every
house otherwise built ; to sow hemp at the rate of one acre for every
hundred ; to have their principal mansion in their respective premises
on penalty of forfeiture ; not to alienate to the mere Irish, or to persons
not of English or British surname, and not to English undertakers
having lots in the county, unless by favour of the royal license. — 30
Oct. IHth."

P. 498, LXXXIV. 33.—" Grant from the King to -Patrick Hanna,
gent. — Longford County. The " octo decim octavam pt." of the town
and lands of Drominge, Garrycaw, Killmeene, Dorroge, MuUaghdrom,
Ballaghlaskagh, Bealacloghan, Corderybeg, Corderymore, and Boulskan,
being l62a. arable and pasture, and 110a. wood and bog; 110a. arable
and pasture and 68a. wood and bog in LisdufEe, Cartronkeele, Towrallen,
and Cartrongarrow, adjoining Drominge, all in Moydow barony ; 28a.
arable and pasture in Lisraiellowtra, in the western part thereof, in

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOEr. 103

Ardagh barony ; except 4a. wood in the lands from Drominge to Boul-
skan, botli inclusive, adjoining the togJier of Ardagh, set apart for the
glebe of Ardagh church, and all other ancient glebes ; rent for the
300a. arable and pasture, £3 15s., Engl., and for the l78a. of wood
and bog, 7s. 5d. To Robert Hanna, H of the above lands from
Drominge to Boulskan, both inclusive,, except the ancient glebes, being
200a. arable and pasture, rent, 50s. Engl., and 100a. wood and bog,
rent, 4s. 2d. To hold to Patrick and Robert Hanna for ever, as of the
Castle of Dublin, in free and common soccage, by fealty only ; to have
all tithes, and to enjoy all waifs and strays, with free warren and chase.
Right reserved to the Crown to cut, raise, and draw timber, stone, sand,
aud slate, for three years; the tenants to build their houses in town-
reeds, and not dispersedly, under a penalty of £5, Engl., for each trans-
gression; to sow hemp at the rate of la. for every 100a. To hold for
ever, as of the Castle of Dublin, in free and common soccage, by fealty
only. Right reserved to the Crown to cut, raise, and draw timber,
stone, sand, and slates for building for three years. Glrantees to demise
their lands on fixed rents only, and not to demand Irish exactions ; to
build their houses in town-reeds, and not dispersedly, under a penalty
of £5, Engl., for each transgression ; to sow hemp at the rate of la.
for every 100a. ; not to demise lands for a longer term than 3 lives or
40 years to mere Irish, or to persons not of English surname, on pain
of forfeiture ; the like penalty in case of rebellion, or for assuming the
title of the Great O'Ferrall, or for granting lands in gavelkind. —
24 Nov. 18th."

XCI. 41.—" Grant from the King to Tho. Nugent, Esq. — Longford
County. Coolamberbegg, 129a. arable and pasture, and l4a. wood and
bog; Cartron, Mallyah, and Monegehowlegan, 91a.; Correhe, 83a.;
Freaghmeene, 82a. arable and pasture, and 32a. wood and bog, with a
water-mill ; Cloncahy, 65a. arable and pasture, and 246a. wood and bog ;
24a. arable and pasture, and 7a. wood and bog in Freighan, adjoining
Freighanmeene ; 44a. arable and pasture, and 11a. wood and bog in
Clonshenagh and Motewrally, adjoining Freighan and Freighanmena,

104 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

all in Ardagh barony; a castle, 100a. arable and pasture, and 30a. wood
and bog, in Blightoge, adjoining Lisreane ; rent for the castle and 618a.
arable and pasture, £6 8s. 9d., Engl., and for the 340a. wood and
bog, 14s. 2d., Engl. To Cahall Farrall — 166a. arable and pasture,
and 21a. wood and bog, in Lisrian, adjoining Ballaghgoole ; Ballagh-
goole, 114a. arable and pasture, in Ardagh barony ; rent for the
280a. arable and pasture, 68s. 4d. English, and for the 21a. wood and
bog, lO^d. English. To Oliver Nugent — 162a. arable and pasture, and
41a. wood and begin Bleoghtoge, adjoining Lisrean; rent for the
arable and pasture, 33s. 9d. English, and for the 41a. wood and bog,
Is. 8^d. English. To Connell McMurogh Farrall— Camagh, 108a,
arable and pasture, and 269a. wood and bog in Longford barony;
rent for the arable and pasture, 22s. 6d. English, and for the
wood and bog, 5s. 7Jd. English. To Brian McTeige Farrall and
Donough McBrian Farrall — Carrhey, 155a. arable and pasture in Grranard
barony ; rent, 32s. S^d. English. To James McTirlagh Farrall and Con-
nock McMorogh Farrall — 120a. arable and pasture, and 61a. wood and
bog in Clonshennagh and Mottenevally, adjoining Freaghan ; rent for the
arable and pasture, 25s. English, and for the 61a. wood and bog, 2s. 6^d.
English. To Tirlagh Farrall — 162a. arable and pasture, and 28a. wood
and bog in Freaghan, adjoining Olonshannagh in Ardagh barony ; rent
for the arable and pasture, 33s. 9d., English, and for the wood and bog,
14d., English. To Brian McEory Farrall — One-fourth of Dowlerick,
30a. arable and pasture, and 30a. wood and bog; Dirrekelan, 20a.
arable and pasture, and 131a. wood and bog ; Oornehunshin, 20a. arable,
and 220a. wood and moor in Longford barony; rent for the 70a.,
I4s. 7d. English, and for the 381a. wood and bog, 8s. 9-|d. English ;
all ancient glebes, rectories and vicarages excepted. To hold for ever,
as of the Castle of Dublin, in free and common soccage, by fealty only.
Right to reserve to the Crown to cut, raise, and draw away timber,
stone, sand and slates for building, during 3 years ; the grantees'
tenants to build their houses in town-reeds and not dispersedly, on
penalty of £5, English, for each trangression ; to sow hemp at the rate

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 105

of la. for every 100a. ; not to levy uncertain rents or Irisli exactions ;
not to demise lands for more than a term of life, or 40 years, to the
mere Irisli, or to persons not of English descent or surname, on pain of
forfeiture ; not to engage in rebellion ; not to assume the title of the
Grreat O'Farrall, or to let their lands in gavelkind, on like penaltyl — .18
May. 18th."

XCV. 57. — " Grant from the King to Catherine Dalton of an annual
rent-charge of £10, Engl., out of the following lands. — Longford County.
The castle, town and lands of Mornyn, with a water-mill ; Beallagh,
Mauragh, Corry and Cloonfeed, 268a. arable and pasture, and 131a. wood
and moor; Corrkreaghan, 132a. arable and pasture; Corhobereny, 69a.
arable and pasture ; Olonskotowghtra, 97a. arable and pasture, and 40a.
wood and moor, all in Moydow barony; Barrybegge, 70a. arable and pas-
ture, in Shrowle barony ; f of Doory, 62a. arable and pasture, and 80a.
wood and moor, near Aghenoran; Aghenoran, 88a. arable and pasture, and
6a. wood and moor ; the Moher, wood and underwood, 167a. ; Cloghan-
keogh, Garrimore, Aghelost and Tarnegeehe, 193a. arable and pasture ;
Camaghmore, CoUokenurwill, Aghnegrannagh, Shanvallylosky, 171a.
arable and pasture ; Camaghbegg and Aghanaspick, 75a. arable and
pasture ; Neddevarry, Boledrynogh, and Carrowgurtin, 79a. arable and
pasture ; 64a. arable and pasture, and 29a. wood and moor in
Aghoneagh, adjoining Castlereogh, and Mornyn ; 9a. arable and pasture
in Ardes, Aghmehowne, and Kilmakonlane, adjoining CuUegh; 30a.
arable and pasture in Clonany, adjoining Brackin ; 4a, arable and
pasture in Knockantirlagh, adjoining Lissegorry; Corromore, 71a.
arable and pasture, and 55a. wood and moor ; ^g- of Aghnegore, Garry-
nekreegh, Bealadrihid, Monyhille, Shee, Tawnaccarrigg, Royn, Clonard,
Clonkorkie, Meelegg, Cuappoge, Tristernan, Ballintobber, Clogher, and
Curraghmore, being 82a. arable and pasture, and 108a. wood and moor,
in Longford barony ; g- of the weir of Suaveowle on the Shennon ;
Enyn, 40a. arable and pasture, and 46a. wood and moor; Litter keragh,
and Tonemachugh, 40a;. arable and pasture, and 174a. wood and moor ;
Crodomoyne, 4a. arable and pasture, all in Longford barony ; Briskill-

106 HISTOKY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

begg, and Briscolmore, 60a. arable, and 260a. wood and moor ; Donchill,
Maherymeene, Maberygarrowe, and one of the 3 Clontees adjoining
Derryoghill, being 30a. wood and moor, in Eathclyn barony. To hold
for life. To Honora Dillon— A rent-charge of £18, Engl., out of the
above stated lands. To hold for hfe. To Jenn Farrall, daughter of
James Mclrriell Farrall— A rent-charge of £50, Engl., out of said grant
to Kath. Dalton. To hold for 10 years, if Eoger Farrall, son and heir
of James, or any issue male of Roger live so long. And if said Eoger
attain the age of 21 years and then die without issue male, the King
grants a further rent-charge of £50 sterling out of the premises, for 4
years after Soger's death.— 5th Feb. 14th."— The end of the 18th
Patent.

Pat. 19, Pt. I. (96), X. 15.— « Grant to Francis Aungier, Knt., of
the title of Baron Aungier of Longford, and to his heirs male, in con-
sideration of his justice and prudence as Master of the Rolls, and his
services in the plantations of Ulster, Leitrim, and Longford, and in
a great many parts of the province of Leinster.— 29 June. 19th."

P. 503, XIII. 24. — "Grant to Daniel Gookin.— Longford County.
The lands of Ooolermerigan, 26a. ; Killenawse and Garrynegree, 48a. ;
Rossemyne, Lisduffe, and GarridufE, 78a. pasture, and 29a. bog and
wood ; Lissemagunen, 96a. ; Lissard and Corribolum, lOla. ; Shiroe and
Kilderin, 61a. ; Bragwie, 90a. pasture, and 40a. bog and wood, adjacent
to the lands of Lismagunen, in the territory of Ely O'CarroU; rent for
500a. pasture, £6 5s., Engl., and for 69a. bog and wood, 2s. lOgd. To
hold in free and common soccage, subject to the conditions of the
plantation of Longford ; with the addition of the prime bird out of
every eyry of great hawks annually. — 10 June. I9th."

P. 511, CV. 33.— " Grant to Daniel Gookin.— Longford County.
The towns and lands of Coolemerigan, 26a. ; Killenawse and Garry-
negree, 48a. ; Rossemyne, Lisduffe, and Garryduffe, 78a. pasture, and
29a. bog and wood ; Lisseinagunen, 96a. ; Lissard and Corrybolum,
lOla. ; Shiroe and Kilderin, 6la. ; Breaghwie, 90a. ara,ble, and 40a.
bog and wood ; excepting %U rectories, vicarages, and ancient glebes.

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HISTOET OF THE CODNTT LONGFOED. 109

To hold for ever, subject to the conditions of the plantations in Ely
O'CarroU's territory, the Queen's County, and Longford. — 15
July. 19th."

CVI. 34.—" Deed, dated 16th July, 19th James I., whereby Daniel
Crookin, in consideration of the sum of £350, Engl., granted, bargained,
sold, and assigned to Francis Edgworth, all the lands and premises in
Ely O'CarroU's country, in the County of Longford, in the preceding
patent more particularly mentioned. To hold to the said Francis,
his heirs and assigns, for ever, subject to the previous conditions and
covenants in said patent mentioned. Livery and seisin delivered
according to the tenor, form, and effect of the -within deed, by Thomas
Stafford, attorney for the said Daniel Grookin."

P. 512, CXXXYI. 50. — " Grant of livery and pardon of intrusion
to Andrew Newgent, brother and heir of Robert Newgent, late of
Dissert, in the County of "Westmeath ; for a fine of £90, L*. — 28
Nov. 19th."

Dorso, P. 518, XXX. 7.— "King's letter to create Thomas Nugent
a baronet, with remainder to his heirs male. — Westminster, lOth
Dec. 19th."

P. 519, XLV. 24. — " King's letter for a grant, without fine or rent,
to Sir George Calvert, Knt., or to such persons as he shall nominate
and appoint, of certain lands within the plantation of the County of
Longford, undisposed of to any undertakers, namely, Dromlish, Bar-
raghbegg and Barraghmore, Derrowle, Greaghmore, GreagisboU,
Meneoghill, Knockmaguiskin, Gorteneny, Garncochild, in Janabegg,
and Corlea, Calfeed, Aghowadan, Carrowdonegan, Cowletegle, Cal-
draneged, Carrowhobbegan, Carrowbolgenagh, Carrickglingh, Lis-
william, Ballingurtin, Lismackegan, and Mullaghbreake, containing
2,314a. ; subject to the usual provisions in the grants to undertakers
in the plantations of Leitrim and Longford, &c. — Westminster, 2
January. 19th."

L. 26. — " King's letter to the Lord Deputy, to admit, as undertakers
for the plantation of Longford and Ely O'Carroll, such persons as

110 HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFOKD.

Walter Alexander, servant to the Prince of Wales, shall nominate, for
the portions of land granted to William Dromond, 600a. ; James and
William Alexander, 1,000a., and to James Philip, 300a., he having
purchased the same for the benefit of his children, who are so young
that they cannot perform the conditions of the plantation. — West-
minster, 28th March. 19th."

XIV. 64. — " Grant to Emanuel Downinge and Robert Dixon,
reciting a direction, by privy signet, to pass letters patent to Theobald
Bourke, Baron of Brittas, of lands and tenements of the annual value
of £50 ; and that the latter, by deed dated l5th December, 19th year,
assigned to Emanuel Downinge and Robert Dixon so much of the said
lands as would amount to the annual value of £50 sterhng, and all the
interest and benefit of the said letters patent. — Longford County. The
great pool, commonly called Loughry, in the Shannon, and the entire
fishing and all the islands in the same ; Minchinf arme, 2 messuages and
70a. in several parcels in the town and fields of Cromblin; all the lands
lately parcel of the possessions of the monks of Grracedew, alias Gratia
Dei, in the lands of Cromblin ; 7a. of mountain in Hollywood, in the
occupation of John Bath, late the estate of the Hospital of St. John
of Jerusalem ; the entire fishing in the river, water, bay, or creek of
Bree, alias Brae, and in the high sea next the lands of Brae, with all
liberties thereto appertaining."

XLIY. 34.—" Grant to George Calvert, Knt., Chief Secretary of
Ireland. — Longford County. The castle, town, and lands of Ulfeede,
295a. arable, and 272a. wood and bog, in the barony of Rathclyn ;
Aghowadan, 11 6a. arable; Carrowdonegan, 47a. arable; Cowletegle,
37a. arable ; Coldraghnegee, 109a. arable ; Carrowhobbegan, 99a.
arable; Carrowbolganagh, 122a. arable ; Carrickglingh, 2Ila. arable;
Liswilliam, 25a. arable; Ballyngurtin, 136a. arable; Lismacegan, 64a.
arable, and 10a. wood and moor ; MuUaghbrack, 63a. arable, in the
same barony ; Dromlishe, 223a. arable, and 74a. bog and wood ;
Barrowbegg and Barraghmore, 104a. arable, and 248a. bog and wood ;
Dorrowle, 99a, arable, and 98a, wood and bog ; Greaghmone, 109a.

HISTORY OF THE OOTjNTT LONGFOED. Ill

arable, and 109a. wood and bog ; Greagliisell, 24a. arable, and 41a. bog
and moor ; Moneoghill, 49a. arable, and 99a. bog ; Knockmaginskin,
41a. arable, and 83a. bog ; Gortevonny, 90a. arable, and 36a. bog ;
GrarveogHU, 102a. arable, and 206a. bog; l59a. arable, and 130a. bog
and wood, in Sbanaghbegg and Corlea, adjoining Moneoghill and
G-arTeogbill, excepting 20a. in Ulfeede, assigned for the glebe of the
Church of Cashell, barony of Longford. To hold in capite, by military
service ; rent for the arable land, £28 16s., Engl. ; and for the bog and
wood, 12s. Ojd. All the lands erected into the manor of Ulfeede ;
with courts leet and baron, and jurisdiction under 40s. ; subject to the
conditions of the plantation of the county. — 18th Feb. 19th year."

P. 533, yill. 17. — " G-rant under the commission for the plantation
of Longford, and the territory of Ely O'CarroU, to Robert OTarroU. —
Longford County. The castle, village and lands of Bawne, 88a. ;
Cartronvally, 59a. ; Breackagh, 80a. pasture, and 10a. bog ; Aghene-
knappagh, 74a. ; Corredevine, 81a. ; Townnacossane, Townelostrane,
Townetaskyn, and Townedrassoge, 70a. ; Trilligtemple 56a. ; Gurting-
law, alias Gurtiueglum, 74a. ; Glasclone, 39a. pasture, and 53a. bog and
wood; Trilligmore, a^ias Thrilligpatrick McDonnogh and Clonakre, 81a.
pasture, and 96a. bog and wood ; Tonebegan and a water-mill, 123a.
pasture, and 28a bog and wood ; Graffoke and Lisfcstan, 65a., barony
of Moydowe. The castle, town and lands of Lissardowle and Torefin,
75a. pasture, and 6a. wood and bog ; Agharickard, 33a. ; Aghaneevan,
80a. pasture, and 6a. bog and wood; Frehalmen, 84a. pasture, and 17a,
bog and wood ; Cloncosury, 68a. pasture, and 4a, bog and wood ; Car-
troncappull, 61a. pasture, and 6a. bog and wood ; Ballymacwilliam-
yeightragh, 80a.; Coolcagh, alias Vallereagh, 80a. pasture, and 89a. bog
and wood, barony of Ardagh ; the wood and land in Mointaghcallow,
called Cloncrew, 24a. To hold in capite, by military service ; rent for
the mill, and 1,451 pasture, £l5 2s. S^d., Engl.; and for the 339a. bog
and wood, l4s. Igd. The premises created the manor of Bawne, with
courts leet and view of frank- pledge, and courts baron ; power to
appoint seneschals and other officers, with jurisdiction in all actions

112 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

for debt and covenant where the damages do not exceed 40s., Ir. ; with
power to make tenures ; to enjoy all waifs and strays ; to have free
warren and park. To Robert Oadell — Longford County. Lehard and
Monny (except 4a. adjoining the lands of Corleagh, assigned to Gerald
Murtagh), containing 11 7a., and 39a. bog and wood, barony of Ardagh;
Cartronreagh, 35a. pasture, and 8a. bog and wood, adjoining Crane-
laghes; Millegan, 16a. pasture, and 142a. bog and wood; rent for the
168a. pasture, 20s., Ir. To John Mc James boy Farrall — Longford
County. Bealaglassan and Lissegowher, 36a.; Toorenegore, 37a.
pasture, and 16a. bog and wood; Agherannagh, 53a. pasture, and 46a.
bog and wood ; Tunnereduffe, CoreneheflS.n and Correchsirke, 60a.
pasture, and 18a. bog and wood ; Oornehowne, alias Aghownehowne,
33a., barony of Shrowle ; rent for the 209a. pasture, £2 5s. 7^d., and
for the 80a. bog and wood, 3s. 4d. To Grerrott McHubert Ferrall —
Longford County, Trillickbegg, 45a. pasture, and 70a. bog and wood
Clonkyne, 66a. arable, and 26a. bog and wood, barony of Moydow;
rent for the Ilia, pasture, £1 Os. l^d., and for the 96a. bog and wood,
4s. To Hugh McFirlagh Farrall — Longford County. Lissardlissenore,
Aghenoddy, Eynnenye, Aghecrenin, alias Aghanacreehee, and
Correveline, alias Corvelneline, 160a., barony of Ardagh; rent,
£1 I3s. 4d. To Bryan McBdmond Farrall — Longford County.
Craighduffe and Cartionwogan, 141a. pasture, and 123a. bog and
wood; Cartronkeele, LisdufEe, Toorallen and Cartrongarrow, l70a.
pasture, and 100a. bog and wood, barony of Moydow ; rent for the
31 la. pasture, £2 4s. 9|d., and for the 223a. bog and wood, 9s. 3^d.
To Faghny McRory Farrall — Longford County. Ravaldren, 107a.
pasture, and 32a. bog and wood, barony of Ardagh; rent for the 107a.
pasture, £1 2s. 3^d. ; and for the 32a. bog and wood, Is. 4d. To
Brian McMelaghlin Farrall — Longford County. Lissenegard, Cowle-
cray, Currin, alias Srahnecarrow, and Shenballyntegell, 120a. adjoining
the lands of Brackagh, and the River Shannon ; Clonfoune, alias
Clontefounes, containing 30a. in Mointaghcallow ; rent for the 120a.
pasture, £1 5s., and for the 30a, wood and underwood, Is, 3d. To

HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOBD. 113

Jacob McHubert Farrqll — Longford County. Grortnornyn, 148a.,
barony of Longford; rent, £1 12s. lid. To Connell McMurrough
OTerroll — Longford County. The castle and lands of Bealaclare, and
a "water-mill, 82a. pasture, and 61a. bog and wood ; Dromodeiglitra,
60a. pasture, and 244a. bog and wood; Agatramore and Aghatrabegg,
50a., and a parcel of underwood called the 2 Clontyes, adjoining
Derradda, containing 33a., barony of Moydow, excepting all wood and
underwood iu Mointaghcallow ; rent for the 192a. pasture, £2, and for
the 335a. bog and wood, 7s. To Richard McJames Farrall — Longford
County. Lenynowtra, 205a. ; Cargin, 31a. pasture, and 12a. bog and
wood, and a certain part of underwood called Derrygart, containing
1 6a. in Mointaghcallow, barony of Moydow ; rent for the 236a. pasture,
£2 9s. 2d., and for the 28a. bog and wood. Is. 2d. To Gerald McRory
Farrall — Longford County. The castle and lands of Barry and Bunn-
valla, alias Cartrondrome, and a water-mill, 45a. pasture, and 30a. bog
andVood; .Aghafyn, 28a. ; Barnegoole, aZms Lisneroige, 80a. pasture,
and 41 a. bog and wood ; Toyme, 113a. pasture, and 95a. bog and wood ;
Corbane and Aghenemauragh, 113a. ; Agherannagh, 84a. pasture, and
36a. bog and wood ; Cleduffe, alias Cartroncleycheny, Tenecrosse,
Teneclabbechan and Loynedihie, and a fishing wear on the river Bnny,
62a. pasture, and 42a. bog and wood ; Killnecarrow, 30a. h,og and wood,
in Mointaghcallow; rent for the castle and 523a. pasture, £5 9s. 4|d.,
and for the 274a. bog and wood, lis. 5d. ; all ancient glebes, vicarages
and rectories excepted out of the above grants. To hold in free and
common soccage, as of the Castle of Dublin ; to have free warren, with
all escheats and fines, and all tithes, great and small ; not to assume the
stile or title of the Great O'Farrall, or to receive or pay any rent, tax-
ation or service, or to divide their lands, or hereditaments according to
the Irish custom of gavelkind. The above grants to be subject to the
conditions of the plantation of Longford, according to the King's letter,
dated 30th Sept., l7th.— 3 Jan. 19th."

IK. 29. — " Grant under the commission for the plantation of Long-
ford, to Thomas Nugent. — Longford County. The town and lands

114 HTSTOEY OP THE COUNTY LONGPOKD.

of Corroboymorej Correyboybegg, Agbenteskin, Carrickmacinleney,
Fyermore, Agbencownalle, alias Aghenitanvally, Lissenuske, Killoge,
Keallragb, Clennenegenny, Lenemore, and Corlukillog, 643a. pasture,
and 46a. bog and wood, excepting thereout tbe lands of Ballene-
goshenagb, 96a., and Ballygarnett, 296a. pasture, and 43a. bog and
wood ; Cornemow, 50a. pasture, and 6a. bog and wood, barony of Long-
ford; the castle and lands of Lissenoannagh, 113a. pasture, and 24a.
bog and wood, barony of Granard ; Clonedarramner and Annaghguillen,
32a. pasture, and 298a. bog and wood ; Clonf elym, Clonynbegg, Diry-
ushy, and DerrycuUm, 30a. pasture, and 137a. bog and wood, barony of
Longford. To hold in capite, by military service ; rent for the 1,164a.
pasture, £12 2s. 6d., Engl., and for the 554a. bog and wood, lis. 6jd.
Those lands created the manor of Correboymore, with court leet and
view of frank-pledge and court baron ; with power to appoint seneschals
and other oflScers, with jurisdiction in all actions for covenant and tres-
pass where the damages do not exceed 40a., Ir. ; with power to make
tenures ; to have free warren ; to enjoy all escheats. To I*helim Quym
— Longford County. Lissedrinagh and Lisscrossan, 100a., barony of
Ardagh; rent, £1 Os. lOd. To Eichard Delamere — Longford County.
Colraghquillan, 34a. pasture, and 38a. bog and wood; Corclaragh, 93a.
pasture, and 151a. bog and wood; Camliskes, adjoining Balinesegart,
40a. ; rent for the 167a. pasture, £1 14s. 9^d., and for the 189a. bog
and moor, 4s. To Cormick McBryen and Murrogh Mclrriell Farrall —
Longford County. Agnegore, Garrynekreeth, Bealadrehid, Munyhille,
Shee, Tatbuanarrig, Eoyn, Clonard, Clonkorkie, Meeleg, Cnappoge,
Tristernan, BaUintobber, Clogher, and Curraghmore, 80a. pasture, and
108a. bog and wood, barony of Longford, adjoining Aynenore ; rent for
the 80a. pasture, 16s. 8d., and for the 108a. bog and wood, 4s. 6d. To
Edmund Nugent Fitz Christopher — Longford County. ShanmuUagh,
60a. pasture, and 539a. bdg and wood, barony of Longford ; rent for
the 60a. pasture, 12s. 6d., and for the 539a. bog and wood, 16s. lOgd.
To John Quin — Longford County. Half of the lands of Correchorke,
Tumreduffe, Correnaghfyn, and Aghnerannagh, 60a. pasture, and 9a,

HISTORY 01? THE OOtlNTT L0Nf4^0RD. 116

bog and wood, barony of Shrowle ; rent for the 60a. pasture, 12s. 6d.,
and for tlie 9a. bog and wood, 4|d. To Brian Qninn— Longford
County. Tenelagli, 70a. pasture, and 33a. bog and wood ; Tireneene,
45a. pasture, and 15a. bog and wood, barony of Shrowle ; rent for the
115a. pasture, £1 3s. ll^d., and for the 48a. bog and wood. Is. To
Edmond McMurrogh Farrall — Longford County. Kilfentons, 60a.
pasture, and 26a. bog and wood, barony of Ardagh ; rent for the 60a.
pasture, lis. 6d., and for the 25a. bog and wood, 13d. To Theobald
Delamare — Longford County. Eyngawny, 159a. pasture, and 57a. bog
and wood, barony of Ardagh; Calraghquillan, 31a. pasture, and 37a.
bog and wood ; a parcel of wood, called Bsker, adjoining Drombada-
more, 20a. pasture, and 155a. bog and wood; rent for the 210a.
pasture, £2 3s. 9d., and for the 249a. bog and wood, 5s. 2id. To
Lissagh Duffe Farrall — Creene, 118a., barony of Longford; 10a. bog
and wood in Dromeerely; the castle and lands of Newton, 241a.
pasture, and 37a. bog and wood; Glannaghowghtragh, 59a. ; Aghen-
teese and Ballehoulegan, 1 36a., and a water-mill; MuUynoragh, 128a.
pasture, and 10a. bog and wood ; rent for the castle and 682a. pasture,
£7 2s. Id., and for the 57a. bog and wood, 2s. 4^d. The above lands
created the manor of Newtown, with power to hold courts leet, view of
frank-pledge, and courts baron ; power to appoint; seneschals and other
QjB&cers, with jurisdiction in all actions for debt and covenant where
the damages do not exceed 40s., Ir. ; with power to make tenures, to
have all waifs and strays, escheats and deodands. To Brian Duffe
McConnell — Longford County. Agheleasse and Burrin, and other
parts of the territory called Muntergarren, adjoining the land lately
assigned to Wilham Dermott on the one part, and the above lands on
the other part, and from thence to the lake called Laughgawny, barony
of G-ranard; rent for the 100a. pasture, £1 5s., and for the 33a. bog
and wood. Is. 4|d. To hold in free and coinmon soccage, as of the
Castle of DubHn : to have all tithes, great and small ; all ancient glebes,
vicarages, and rectories excepted ; not to assume the name, style, or
title of the Grreat O'Farrell, or to give or pay any rent, taxes, or

116 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

services, or to divide their lands according to tlie Irish custom of
gavelkind. The above grant subject to the conditions of the plantation
of Longford, like the last grant. — 14 June. 19th."

XYI. 2. — "Grant to "William Hamden, under the commission for
the plantation of Ely O'CarroU's country. — Longford County. Clough-
Thomas-Brown, 86a. arable, and 35a. bog and wood; Monisillagh,
64a.; Corgina, 68a. pasture, and 11a. bog and wood; Cartrinbrack,
alias Cartronveagh, 66a. ; Lismacmorrogh, 116a. ; rent for the 400a.
pasture, £5, Engl., and for the 45a. bog and wood. Is. lid. To Henry
Piers — Longford County. Grlanmore, 150a. pasture, and 31a. bog and
wood; Corbally, 50a. pasture, 31a. wood, and 12a. bog; rent for the
200a. arable, £2 10s., and for the 43a. bog and wood, Is. Q^d. To
Walter Hodges — Longford County. Knockivagan, the Ardes, Kilmac-
kanlan and Aghenehowne, 80a. arable, and 80a. bog and wood ; Coolene-
hinsie, 80a. arable, and 242a. bog and wood ; Aghowla, 140a., barony
of Moidowe ; rent for the 300a. arable, £3 15s., and for the 320a. bog
and wood, 13s. 5d. To Andrew Newgent and Richard Delamare —
Longford County. The castle and lands of Mastrim and Bungare, 94a.,
always excepting 20a. pasture adjoining the Church of Mastrim as a
glebe; Aghenriaghan, 76a. arable and 7a. bog and wood; Aghefinmore,
149a. ; Aghencarea and Glarryandrew, 63a. ; the freedom and common-
age of turbary in the lands of Lisnekeeragh, barony of Ardagh ; rent
for the 372a. arable, £3 17s. 6d., and for the 7a. bog and wood, 3-|d.
To hold in fee and common soccage ; all ancient glebes, rectories and
vicarages excepted ; power to make tenures; to enjoy free warren and
chase, and to have all tithes, great and small, subject to the conditions
of the plantation of Longford. — 20th August. 18th."

XYIII. 8. — " Grant to William McFergus Farrall, under the commis-
sion for the plantation of the County of Longford. — Longford County.
The castle, town and lands of Ballintobber, and the lands of Agheglass,
43a. pasture; Aghagortie, 77a.; Carrickedmond, 97a.; Knapoge, 103a.
pasture, and 33a. bog and wood ; Ballybeg and Leggan, 145a. pasture,
and 95a. hog and wood ; Keele, 45a. pasture, and 167a. bog and wood ;

HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 117

Kmockneskeagh, Cooleiiagli and Tonemrinagli, l46a. arable, 6a. pasture,
and 6a. bog and wood, barony of MoydoTve ; Lagan, 27a. pasture and
4a. bog and wood ; Scriboge, Aghenedin, alias Senagbmore, Lisclogber-
nagb, Lisclevan, and Segmagh, part of Scriboge, 93a. pasture and 37a.
bog and wood ; Carne, Agbedarragb, Lisard, Agbemabin and Quinlagh,
147a. pasture, and 30a. bog and wood; Carrickullen, Carrickboy,
Toorenemona, Ardvarne and Agbenemauragb, 106a.; Derrygerin and
Clonfimvoye, 30a. bog and wood, barony of Shrowle. To hold in capite,
by military service; rent for tbe castle and arable lands, £10 16s. 6^d.
Tr., and for tbe 400a. bog and wood, 12s. 6d. The above lands created
the manor of Ballintober, with power to create tenures, and to empark
500a. for demesne land ; to hold courts leet and view of frank-pledge
and courts-baron ; to appoint seneschals and other ofl&cers, with juris-
diction in all actions for debt, covenant and trespass, where the damages
do not exceed 40s. Engl. ; to enjoy all waifs, strays and deodands ; to
have free warren and chase, with all tithes, both great and small.
To Lisagh McJames Parrall — Longford County. Eallshrooly, 52a. arable
and 118a. bog and wood ; Lislea, 37a. pasture and 5a. bog and wood ;
Dromderge, 150a. pasture and 223a. bog and wood ; Kilcloagh, 14a.
pasture and 130a. bog and wood; Corlenan, 92a. arable and 272a. bog
and wood ; Curredine, 21a. ; Baghelboy and Carrowentoyne, 52a.
pasture and 18a. bog and wood ; Agheshanka, 101a. pasture and 112a.
bog and wood, barony of G-ranard ; rent for the 51 8a. pasture, £4 7s. Id. ;
for the 772a. bog and wood, £1 4s. l^d. ; for the lOla. pasture in
Agheshanka, £1 Is. Id., and for the 112a. bog and wood, 3s. 6d. To
Brian Boy McHubbert Farrall — Longford County. The house in which
he resides, and all the buildings belonging thereto, and I part of the
lands of Aghenore, G-arrynekreeth, Bealadrehid, Manyhille, Shee,
Tawnanarregg, Royn, Clonard, Clonkorkie, Meelegg, Koiappoge, Tris-
ternan,Ballyntobber, Clogher and Curraghmore, convenient and adjacent
to the house in which said Brian resides, containing 100a. pasture, and
48a. bog and wood, barony of Longford ; rent for the house and 100a.
arable, £l Os. lOd., and for the 48a. bog and wood, 2s. 5d. To

118 fltSTOEY OP THE COTTNTT LONGFOED.

Christoplier Browne — Longford County. Agheboy, 60a. pasture and
25a. bog and wood, barony of Grranard ; Bracklagb, 80a. ; a moiety of
Shangare, 33a. pasture and 108a. bog and wood, barony of Longford ;
rent for the lOla. pasture, £1 Is. 0|d., and for tbe l73a. bog and
wood, 7s. 2^d. To Teige McCormicke — Longford County. Tbe 2
Farnaghts, 69a. pasture and 70a. bog and wood; Lismacever, 69a.,
always excepting 20a. pasture out of the 2 Farnaghts, adjoining the
Church of Ballymaccormicke, as glebe land for said church, barony of
Ardagh ; rent for the 108a. pasture, £l 4s. 7d., and for the 70a. bog
and wood, 2s. lid. To Shane McHugh Farrall — Longford County.
Dromure, 24a. arable and 24a. bog and wood ; Inaghmore and
Bundonagh, 55a. pasture and 15a. bog and wood, barony of Long-
ford ; rent for the 79a. arable, 16s. 5^d., and for the 39a. bog
and wood, Is. 7^6.. To Lisagh McGillernew Farrall — Longford
County. Fivorkill, 474a. pasture and 325a. bog and wood ; Lisnegan
and Casraghbegg, 115a ; Kealdramore, 104a.; Aghenloghan, 23a.,
and a certain parcel of wood and underwood called Derrymigran,
Derrymanny and Derrynduffe, 40 a., barony of Rathclin ; rent for
the 7 16a. pasture, £7 9s. 2d., and for the 366a. bog and wood,
7s. 5|-d. The above lands created the manor of Fivorkill, with power
to create tenures ; to hold courts leet and view of frank-pledge and
courts baron ; to appoint seneschals and other ofl&cers, with jnrisdiction
in all actions for debt, covenant and trespass, where the damages do
not exceed 40s. Ir. To Edmund Kearnan — Longford County. Bnnagh,
adjacent to the County of Cavan and the water of Loughgawny, con-
taining 48a. pasture and 12a. bog and wood ; two islands in Lough-
gawny, called Inshestavoge and Inshconnill, 12a. and l49a. pasture, and
48a. bog and wood in the town and lands of Aghnekilly and Aghacanon,
and all parts of the territory or precinct of land called Muntergeran,
adjoining the lands now assigned to Richard Nugent, on the one side,
and "William O'Dermott's on the other side, along to Loughgawny,
barony of Granard ; rent for the 219a, pasture, £2 6s. 7^d,, and for the
60a. bog and wood, 2s. 6d. To hold in free and common soccage all

HISTOEY OP THE COUKTY LONGFOED 119

ancient glebes, rectories and vicarages excepted ; to enjoy all waifs,
strays and deodands ; to have free warren, subject to tlie conditions as
undertakers of the plantation of Longford. — 9 July. 19tli."

P. 538, XX. 20. — " Grant to Edward Dowdall under the commission
for the plantation of the County of Longford. — Rynroe, 164a. pasture,
and 96a. bog and wood ; Killasonnowtra, 239a. pasture, and 102a. bog
and wood; ArdcuUen, 193a. pasture, and llOa. bog and wood, barony
of Granard; Ballow, 132a. pasture, and 22a. bog and wood, barony of
Ardagb. To hold in free and common soccage for ever ; rent for the
780a. pasture, £7 9s. 7d., Engl., and for the 330a. bog and wood, 13s. 9d.
The above lands created the manor of ArdcuUen, with power to make
tenures, to hold courts leet and view of frank-pledge and courts baron ;
to appoint seneschals and other officers, with jurisdiction in all actions
for debt, covenam and trespass to the extent of 30s., Engl. ; to enjoy
all waifs and strays ; to have free warren and chase, with power to
empark a moiety of the above lands. To William McDonnell — Longford
County. Clownefynne, l79a. pasture, and lOOa. bog and wood, barony
of Granard; rent for the l79a. pasture land, £1 17s. 3|d, and for the
lOOa. bog and wood, 4s. 2d. To Edmund Dillon — Longford County.
Ardughill and Cartronkeel, 95a. pasture and 23a. bog and wood;
Gurtinclarin, Aghevicgillemore, Cowlelina, Aghewmonekayne, Aghow-
gooddan, Lissbrenny, alias Lissevrenny, Gustingare, Lissindorragh and
Graffely, 188a. pasture, and 2 12a. bog and wood ; Garryuchurry,
CartrontuUagh, Cartronestraide, Cartronkealdragh and Bealanore, 76a.
pasture, and 30a. bog and wood ; Ballyboy, Cartroneghnegnene, Car-
tronlachill, Cartronshanvally, Lackagh and Cartronaghuncha, I24a.,
barony of Eathclyn ; and also a certain wood and underwood called
Dirryloghbannow, 10a., part of Mointaghcallow ; rent for the 483a.
arable, £5 7s., and for the 275a. bog and wood, lis. 5^d. To Nicholas
Archibald — Longford County. Formolughe, 100a. pasture, and 333a.
bog and wood ; Dromard, 80a. pasture, and 200a. bog and wood ; Cor-
grane and Ballenlogh, 126a. pasture, and 43a. bog and wood, barony of
Longford ; Garvagh, 28a. pasture, and 20a. bog and wood ; Balline-

120 HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

geeragh, alias Ballaghnekeeragli and MoindufE, 90a. pasture, and 39a.
bog and wood ; Ewkyneightra, alias Ewkinbane, 67a., barony of
G-ranard ; rent for the 490a. pasture, £5 2s. 3|d. ; and for tlie 635a.
bog and wood, 10s. To Fergus Farrall — Longford County. The castle
and lands of Tully, 83a. pasture, and 46a. bog and wood ; Ballynemony,
alias Mony, 46a. ; Leyn, 34a, pasture, and 7a. wood ; Tooreknappagh,
35a. ; Lisraghtegan, 82a. ; Oartronkardagh, 45a. bog and wood;
Asnaghes, 25a. pasture, and 29a. bog and wood; Aghetoome, 50a.;
Toonebardon, 373a. pasture, and 259a. bog and wood; Mickershawe,
199a. pasture, and 54a. bog and wood ; Coolecorre, l46a. pasture, and
17a. bog and wood; Shenclone, 93a. pasture, and 30a. bog and wood;
Annaghkilleene, lOOa. pasture, and 127a. bog and wood, barony of
Granard; rent for the l,40la. pasture, £14 lis. lO^d., and for the 569a.
bog and wood, £l 3s. 8^d. To hold in capite, by military service. The
lands created the manor of Tully, with power to make tenures ; to hold
courts leet and view of frank-pledge and courts -baron ; to appoint
seneschals and other ofl&cers, with jurisdiction in all actions for debt,
covenant, and trespass, where the damages do not exceed 30s., Engl. ;
to enjoy all waifs and strays ; to have free warren and chase. To
Edmund McRichard Farrall — Longford County. Barnerekelly, 40a. ;
a moiety of Dougall, 16a. ; f parts of Annow, lOa. pasture, and lOOa.
bog and wood, barony of Longford; Lisnekeeragh, 70a. pasture, and
5a. bog and wood ; Killf entons, 20a. pasture, and 4a. bog and wood ;
Lissenune, 8a., barony of Ardagh ; Clownfynn, 52a. pasture, and 72a.
bog and wood, barony of Granard; rent for the 260a. pasture, £2 5s.,
and for the 181a. bog and wood, 7s. 6^d. To William O'Dermott —
Longford County. Clonagh, Killmore, Terenes, all other parts of the
territory of Mountergerran, containing 480a. pasture, and l43a. bog
and wood; adjoining the lands of Richard Nugent, Sir Christopher
Nugent, Knt., William Parsons, Edward Dowdall, Henry Crofton,
Robert Dillon, and Thomas Nugent ; barony of Granard ; rent for the
480a. pasture, £5, and for the 143a. bog and wood, 5s. llgd. To hold
in free and common soccage ; all ancient glebes, vicarages, and rectories

HISTORY OF THE COHNTI LONGFORP. 121

excepted out of the above grants. Those grants are subject to
the conditions as undertakers of the plantation of Longford. — 24
June. 18th."

Patent Roll, 20 Jas. I., Pt. 1.— V. 9.— "Plantation of Longford.—
01. Grrandison. — ^Whereas the King's most excellent Majesty, out of
his royal favour to the undertakers in the territory of Ely O'CarroU
and County of Longford, hath, by his Highness's letters, dated at
Westminster the 28th of March, in the year of our Lord Grod 1621,
given direction to us, the Lord Deputy and his Highness's , Privy
Council in this kingdom, that the fines and rent for the said territory
and county being answered to his Majesty, the conditions and other
particulars concerning the undertakers there should be framed like to
those of the plantation in the County of Leitrim, notwithstanding any
former instructions to the contrary, as by the said letters further
appeareth. And whereas some of the said undertakers, which had
passed their patents upon the former instructions, and were to have
the benefit of his Majesty's said letters, have been humble suitors to us,
that they might not be put to the charges of taking out of new several
letters patent, but that some provisional act of state might be made for
their relief and ease, and yet his Majesty secured that they shall per-
form the articles and conditions appointed for the County of Leitrim ;
which request we think very reasonable, in regard the said under-
takers have been put to great charges in taking forth several letters
patent, according to the former instructions for Ely O'Carroll and the
said County of Longford ; and that it would be very burthensome unto
them to obtain new letters patent of their several portions ; and for
that his Highness hath signified, by his said letters, that his Majesty is
ready to afford them any favour which may stand with the good of his
Highness's service ; and therefore, for the ease of the said undertakers,
and for their encouragement to perform the' conditions and articles of
the plantation, according to his Highness's said letters, we do, by this
our act of state, declare, order, and decree that the said undertakers,
their heirs and assigns respectively, shall not, from henceforth, in any-

122 HISTORY OP THE OOTJNTT LONGFORD.

thing, fines and rents only excepted, wMch. are to be answered according
to his Majesty's directions for the said plantation of Ely O'CarroU and
Longford, be charged, restricted, or bound, by virtue or colour of any
former letters patent, or instructions in that behalf, to observe, keep, or
perform any articles, covenants, and conditions for or concerning the
said plantation, other than such articles, covenants, and conditions as
the undertakers which have like portions in the County of Leitrim,
respectively, are tied and bound, and ought to perform and observe,
anything in the said former letters patent, or former instructions, or
any other thing, cause, or matter to the contrary, in any sort, notwith-
standing ; provided always, that the last-mentioned articles, covenants,
and conditions be well and duly observed by the said undertakers of
Ely O'CarroU and the County of Longford, their heirs and assigns,
respectively, or that in default thereof he or they which shall not
observe and perform the same, shall incur and be subject to the same
forfeitures and penalties which, by the intent of the articles, covenants,
and conditions, and letters patent for the undertakers in the County of
Leitrim, are to be incurred and sustained by the undertakers of like
proportions in that county, for or by reason of any breach of the same
covenants, conditions, and articles, and letters patent, respectively,
anything in this act of state to the contrary notwithstanding. And
to the intent that his Majesty's oflB.cers, and others whom it may
concern, may take due notice hereof, we do hereby further order that
this present act of state shall be enrolled in his Majesty's
Courts of Chancery and Exchequer. Given at his Majesty's Castle
of Dublin, the 6th day of April, 1622. Ad. Loftus, Chanc. ; Hen.
Yalentia, Toby Caulfield, Ed. Blayney, Dvd. Norton, W. Parsons,
J. Kinge."

YIII. 12.— " G-rantto Arthur, James and Robert Eorbes, natives of
Scotland, to be free denizens, and to have all the benefits, franchises
and privileges of the Kingdom of Ireland, with a grant to Arthur
Forbes. — Longford County. The town and lands of Clongisse, 120a.
pasture, and 298a. bog and wood ; Ballinibrien, Quinesin, Lisse and

HISTORY OF THE OOTTNTY LONGFORD. 123

Correnallin, 393a. pasture, and 299a. bog and wood; Tooreboy,
Lissnegard, Carre and Dromnesliee, 42a. pasture, and 3 la. bog and
wood; and also 65a. pasture and 40a. bog and wood in the lands of
Lisbbrack and Corvelane, excepting ' 20a. pasture adjacent to the
Cburch of Clongisse, barony of Longford ; rent fOr tbe 600a. pasture,
£7 10s., Engl. ; and for tbe 600a. bog and wood, 13s. lid. James
Forbes — Longford County.' Tbe town and lands of Some, 126a.
pasture, and 380a. bog and wood ; Derrylaban, 74a. pasture, and 37a.
bog and wood, barony of Longford; rent for tbe 200a. pasture,
£2 10s., Engl., and for tbe 41 7a. bog and wood, 8s. 8^d. Robert
Forbes — Longford County. Tbe town and lands of Dromeelie, 83a. ;
Corgarrow, 29a. pasture, and 22a. bog and wood ; Bwkyneowtra, 44a.
pasture, and 11 8a. bog; more in tbe same, 13a., and also 31a. pasture
and l7a. bog and wood in tbe lands of Breagbwy, adjoining Ewky-
neowtra, barony of Granard; rent for tbe 200a. pasture, £2 10s.,
Engl., and for tbe 147a. beg and wood, 3s 3^d. All tbe lands in tbe
County of Longford created tbe manor of Gastleforbesse, with court
leets and view of frank-pledge and courts baron ; power to create
seneschals and other ofl&cers, with jurisdiction in all actions for debt,
covenant and trespass where the damages do not exceed 40s., Ir. ; to
enjoy all waifs and strays ; to have free warren and chase, with all
tithes, great and small ; excepting all ancient glebes, rectories and
vicarages. To hold a Thursday market at Clongisse, and one fair on
the feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, (24) August, and the day
after, for ever, with a court of pie-powder and the usual tolls and
customs ; rent, lOs., Engl. To hold in free and common soccage; sub-
ject to the conditions, provisoes, limitations and agreements, as under-
takers of the plantation of Longford and Leitrim. — 1st April. 20th."

P. 546, XXXYII. 9. — " Commission to Lord Aungier, Master of the
Bolls, authorizing him to minister the oath of supremacy to the Lords
Commissioners. — 2nd May. 20tb."

P. 548, LXXXII. 44.—" Grant creating Oliver Tuite, of Sonnagh,
a baronet, with remainder to his heirs male, — l6tb June. 20th."

124 HISTOKT OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

rV. 8. — " Grant to James G-ibb, under the commission for the plan-
tation of Longford County. — Kilreher and Ballacryn, I04a. ; 12 part of
the lands of Oornemo, 10a. ; l36a. pasture and 136a. bog and wood in
the lands of Dromenewre; the lands of Lissevaddy, containing 70a./
and 35a. pasture, and 40a. bog and wood in the lands of Clonany;
Lismore, I6la., in the barony of Longford; Barlane and Cordooe, 121a.
pasture and 35a. bog and wood ; Oappagh, in Kiltebegg 149a. pasture
and 66a. bog and wood ; Lisneenrragh and Allmagh, 139a. ; Clowne-
crosse, 75a. pasture and 40a. bog and wood, barony of Ardagh ; rent
for the 1,000a. pasture, £12 10s., and for the 31 7a. bog and wood,
9s. lid. Those lands created the manor of Lissevaddy, with power
to make tenures ; to have free warren, with all waifs and strays, and
tithes, great and small ; to hold courts leet and baron, with view of
frank-pledge ; to appoint seneschals and other officers, with jurisdiction
in all actions for debt where the damages do not amount to 40s. Ir. To
hold in capite. To Henry Acheson — Longford County. G-urtincas-
lane, I09a. ; Forehoe alias Fogher, 125a. pasture and 151a. bog and
wood; Greagfin, 18a. pasture and 55a. bog and wood; Dromhowghloe,
124a. pasture and 215a. bog and wood; Cornedan, 86a. pasture and
84a. bog and wood ; Dromnenceely, Killencore and Dromlitter, 56a.
pasture and 17a. bog and wood ; a moiety of Clontumchor, 22a. pasture
and 91a. bog and wood; fa parts of Cornemoe, 61a. pasture and 80a.
bog and wood; Gurtinhowle, 19a. pasture and 79a. bog and wood;
always excepting 20a. pasture of the lands of Dromhowghloe, adjoining
the Church of Kills, assigned as glebe-land, barony of Longford ; rent
for the 600a. pasture, £7 lOs. Engl., and for the 700a. bog and wood,
£1 Is. lO^d. Those lands created the manor of Forehoe, alias Fogher;
with power to make tenures to the extent of 200a. ; to hold courts leet
and baron ; to appoint seneschals and other officers, with jurisdiction
in all actions for debt where the damages do Tiot amount to 40s. Jr. ; to
enjoy free warren and chase, with all waifs and strays, and tithes, great
and small. To Walter Alexander — Longford County. The castle of
Ballynlagh, alias Ballinlogh, and the lands of Ballynlagh and Lissafatt,

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HISTORY OP THE C'OTJNTT LONGPOED, 127

102a. pasture and 47a. bog and -wood; Ballincunelle, 60a. pasture and
10a. bog and wood ; Aghegneagh, 328a. pasture and 24a. bog and wood ;
18 part of the lands of Aghekilmore, 10a. pasture and 6a. bog and wood,
barony of Granard; rent for tbe castle and 500a. pasture, £6 5s. Engl.,
and for the 87a. bog and wood, 3s. 7^d. To Sir Archibald Aclieson,
Knt. — Longford County. Aghekillmore, 17 parts, into 18 parts divided,
l70a. pasture and 112a. bog and wood; Malle, 30a. pasture and 441a.
bog and wood; Sonnagh, 123a. pasture and 295a. bog and wood;
Aghecordrinian, lOa. pasture and 307^. bog and wood ;. Greilsagli, 3 parts,
into 4 parts divided, 159a. pasture and 97a. bog and wood, barony of
G-ranard; rent for the 500a. pasture, £6 5s., and for 1,332a. bog and
wood, £2' 15s. 7^d. To "William Carr — Longford County. Torregowen
and Calraghalbany, 72a. ; Agbamoreba, Curraghleeteige and Morh,
83a. pasture and 6a. bog and wood ; Cartrondoragb alias Lisnedoragh,
and Knockboy, 272a. pasture and 78a. bog and wood; Monyfadda and
Quillagh, 50a., in the barony of Rathcline; Lisduffe, 43a., in the barony
of Shrule; excepting always 20a. pasture of the lands of Cartron-
doragh, alias Lisnedoragh and Knockboy, adjoining the church of
Killdacomoge, assigned as glebe land for the church ; rent for the
500a. pasture, £6 5s., Engl., and for the 84a. bog and wood, 3s. 6d.
To James Achmowty — Longford County. Ceilsagh, 1 part, into 4
parts divided, 65a. pasture, and 62a. bog and wood ; Cordrinane and
Agherine, 30a. pasture, and 208a. bog and wood, barony of Granard ;
and 205a. pasture and 79a. bog and wood in the lands of Lisleagh ;
rent for the 300a. pasture, £3 1 5s., Engl., and for the 349a. bog and
wood, 10s. lid. To hold, as of the Castle of Dublin, in free and
common soccage ; subject to the conditions, provisoes, and agreements,
as undertakers for the plantation of Longford. — 3U March. 20th."

X. 11. — "Presentation of the Rev. "William Gregory to the per-
petual vicarages of the churches of the respective parishes of Oashell
and Rathcleane, Ardagh Diocese, now vacant and in the King's gift,
for this turn only. — 11 April. 22nd," i

128 HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

P. 584, CIV. 41. — "Letter of the Lords of the Council, directing
that the number of provinces, and the extent of each province, shall
remain as they are at present constituted, and that the 3 counties of
Westmeath, Eastmeath, and Longford, which petitioned to be separated
from Leinster, do continue a part of the same, and that province to
consist of the following counties : Dublin, Meath, Westmeath, Longford,
Louth, Kildare, Carlow, "Wicklow, King's County, Queen's County,
Kilkenny, Wexford, the County and City of Dublin, County of the City
of Kilkenny, and the Town of Drogheda. — Whitehall, 23rd Jan., 1623."
— End of the Patent EoUs (22 in number) of James I.

The foregoing extracts will be found a valuable guide to tracing
the old families of the county further on. At present I am concerned
mainly in tracing the history of the county, which will show the prin-
cipal great political events that occurred at this remote age.

Eor eighteen long years after the above document was issued, the
people of Longford groaned under their miseries. In those remote
days the democratic spirit of the present age was unknown. The too
easily gulled Irish had not learned the great lesson, that to demand, and
not to beg redress, was the way to get it. Doubtless, it may be fairly
argued that it is easy enough for those who have lived to see the fruits
of this century's political advancement to talk, whereas in those days
the answer to such demands would be the bullet, the pitch-cap, and the
triangle. Nevertheless, there is little to be proud of in the following
very humble petition sent in 1641 to the Lord Deputy.

The following is the full text of the petition :

"Nov. 10, 1641.
" Our very good Lord,

" Our alliance unto your lordship's ancestors and yourself, and the

tryal of your and their performance of trust unto their friends in their

greatest adversity, encourageth us and engageth your honour to our

fruition of your future favours. The fixion of our confidence in you

before any other of the peers and privy councellors of the kingdom

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 129

doubleth this obligation. Your Lordship may, therefore, be pleased to
acquaint the Lords, Justices, and Councel (to be imparted unto his
Sacred Majesty) with our grievances, and the causes thereof, the reading
of which we most humbly pray, and the manner of it.

" First, the Papists in the neighbouring counties are severely pun-
ished, and their miseries might serve as beacons unto us to look unto our
own, when our neighbours' houses are on fire ; and we and other Papists
are, and ever will be, as loyal subjects as any in the King's dominions ;
for manifestation whereof we send herein inclosed an oath solemnly
taken by us, which, as it received indelible impression in our hearts,
shall be sign'd with our hand, and seal'd with our blood.

" Secondly, there is an incapacity in the Papists, of honour and the
immunities of true subjects, the royal marks of distributive justice, and
a disfavour in the commutative, which rais'd strangers and foreigners,
whose valour and vertue was invincible, when the old families of the
English, and the major part of us, the meer Irish, did swim in blood to
serve the Crown of England; and when ofiices should call men of worth,
men without worth and merit obtain them.

" Thirdly, the statute of the 2 Ehz. of force in this kingdom against
us, and they of our religion, doth not a little disanimate us and the rest.
"Fourthly, the avoidance of grants of our lands and liberties by
quirks and quiddities of the law, without reflecting upon the King's
royal and real intention for confirming our estates, his broad seal being
the pawn betwixt his Majesty and his people.

" Fifthly, the restraint of purchase in the meer Irish of lands in the
escheated counties, and the taint and blemish of them and their pos-
terities, doth more discontent them than that plantation rule ; for they
are brought to that exigent of povertie in these late times, that they
must be sellers, and not buyers of land.

" And we conceive and humbly offer to your Lordship's consideration
(Prindpiis dbsta), that in the beginning of this commotion, your Lord-
ship, as it is hereditary for you, will be a physitian to cure this disease
in us, and by our examples it will doubtless beget the like auspicious

130 HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFOEP.

success in all other parts of the kingdom ; for we are of opinion it is
one sickness and one pharmach will suffice, sublatd causa tollitur effedus ;
and it will be recorded that you will do service unto Grod, King, and
country ; and for salving every the aforesaid soars your Lordship is to
be an humble suitor in our behalf, and of the rest of the Papists, that
out of the abundance of his Majestie's clemency, there may be an act of
oblivion and general pardon, without restitution or account of goods
taken in the time of this commotion ; a liberty of our religion ; a repeal
of all statutes formerly made to the contrary, and not by proclamation,
but parliamentary way ; a charter free denizen in ample manner for
meer Irish ; all which in succeeding ages will prove an union in all his
Majestie's dominions instead of division, a comfort in desolation, and a
happiness in perpetuity for an imminent calamitie; and this being
granted, there will be all things, Quce sunt GcBsaris and Quce sunt Dei
Deo ; and it was by the poet written (though he be prophane in other
matters, yet in this) prophetically, Divisium Imjperium cum Jove Gcesar
Tiahet ; all which for this present we leave to your honourable care ;
and we will, as we ever did, and do remain,

"Your very humble and assured, and ever to be commanded,

" Hugh Mao Gilleenow Faeeall.
" James Faeeall.
" Betan Faeeall.
" Keadagh Faeeall.
" Edmund Mao Connoe Faeeall.
" Cahbl Mao Beine Faeeall.
" Bdmond Mao Gael Faeeall.
" John Faeeall, in Carbury.

" GrAENET FaEEALL.

" LisAGH Mao Conel Faeeall.
" Betan Mag William Faeeall.
" John Mao Edmund Faeeall.
" John Faeeall.

histoey of the county longford. 131

" Roger Mao Brynb Fareall.
" John Parrall.
" Barnaby Farrall.
" James Mac Teig Fareall, his mark.
" Morgan Mac Caebey Faerall.
" Donnagh Mao Caebey Faerall.
" Richard Mac Conel Fareall.
" William Mac James Faerall.
" Faghna Mac Rory Farrall.
" CoRMACK Mao Rory Farrall.
" Conock: Mac Beyne Faerall.
" Keadaqh Mac Lisagh Faeeall.
" Connor Ogb Mac Connor Fareall."

In John O'Curry's " Review of the Civil "Wars in Ireland," vol. i.,
p. 194, he speaks of this document as follows : —

"On the 10th of November, 1641, the O'Farralls of the neighbouring
County of Longford sent up also to the Lords Justices a remonstrance of
their grievances, which was of much the same tenor with that from
Cavan, entreating redress in a Parliamentary way." " These gentle-
men," says Mr. Carte,* " had deserved well of the Crown, and were
on that account particularly provided by King James, in his instructions
for the planting of that country. But the commissioners appointed for
the distribution of the lands, more greedy of their own private profit
than tender for the King's honour or the rights of the subject, took
little care to observe these instructions; and the O'Farrells were
generally great sufferers by the plantations."

"Several persons," continues Curry, "were turned out of large estates
of profitable land, and had only a small pittance, less than a fourth part,
assigned them for it in barren ground. Twenty -four proprietors, most of
them O'Farrells, were dispossessed of their all, and nothing allotted

* In a manuscript of Bishop Stearne, we find that in the small County of Longford,
twenty-five of one sept were all deprived of their estates, without the least compensa-
tion, or any means of subsistence assigned to them.

132 HISTORY OP THE COTTNTT LONGFORD.

them for compensation. They had complained in vain of this
undeserved usage many years ; and haviag now an opportunity afforded
them of redress, by the insurrection of their neighbours, had readily
embraced it and followed their example (for it does not appear that any
of them were antecedently concerned in the conspiracy), as they like-
wise did in laying before the Lords Justices a remonstrance of their
grievances and a petition for redress, which, like that from Cavan,
came to nothing."

In 1641 broke out the celebrated war of the Confederated Catholics,
in which the O'Farrells seem to have taken more or less of a prominent
part. During the war Col. Preston, who commanded the Leinster
division of the army, besieged and captured the Castle of Longford and
Castle-Forbes, in which Lady Forbes and a body of her planted tenantry
held out for a considerable time. The gallant Preston treated the lady
most chivalrously on her surrender ; but the Castle of Longford which
was held by a renegade O'Farrell, who bartered his faith and father-
land for Enghsh gold and confiscated acres, was mercilessly sacked and
the garrison slaughtered. Amongst those of the name of O'Farrell who
distinguished themselves at this period was Col. Richard O'Farrell, who
had come from Flanders in 1643; "he and Henry O'Neill, Owen Eoe's
son, landed at Wexford, with a few officers and arms for one troop of
horse. He was the trusted friend of Owen Roe O'Neill."

The author of the " Aphorismal Discovery " always speaks in the
highest terms of O'Ferrall's bravery and skill. In a battle fought in
Meath, he was defeated near Trim by Lord Inchiquin. Subsequently,
when Cromwell appeared in Ireland, the annalist says : —

P. 130. — " So eager was he [Owen Roe O'Neill] to show his good
will and his entire forgetfulness of past injuries, that even before the
treaty between him and Ormonde was signed, he sent 3,000 men under
Lieutenant-General O'Ferrall to his [Ormonde's] assistance."

P. 220. — " He was appointed military governor of the city of Water-
ford, January 24th, 1650, on account of the implicit confidence placed
in him (Ferrall) by the Papal Nuncio, Rinuccini."

HISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONGFOBD. 133

.He gallantly replied to Cromwell's summons to surrender the town
of "Waterford.

" On arriving before the city, Cromwell had sent a trumpeter to
summon the garrison to yield upon quarter. Ferrall would give way
to none to answer other than himself ; he requested the trumpeter to
return to his master with this result, that 'he was Lieutenant-Greneral
Ferrall, governor of that place [Waterford], and would not yield the
town.' " — " Aphor. Discovery," vol. ii., p. 57.

This boldness on the part of Ferrall, and sudden appearance with
reinforcements, made Cromwell change his plans.

From the same volume we learn that " Ferrall attempted to sur-
prise Passage, but is obliged to retreat, being hotly pursued by the
enemy." In the same page it is recorded that he was " chosen Lieutenants
General of the Ulster army, during the battle of ScariffhoUis, June
21st, 1649."

June 22nd, 1649, being defeated in this battle, he (Ferrall) and a
few more who survived sought 'safety in flight, and hid themselves in
the mountains and woods to avoid the certain death that awaited them,
if they were taken. In this fight three priests and friars were killed,
and 3,000 were slain on the Irish side.

From " A Contemporary History of Ireland, from 1641 to 1652,"
published by Mr. Gilbert, it appears in Section 27, p. 19, that during
those days " the O'Fferralls cleered the Countie of Longford from
garrisons and enemies, as far as the Countie of Westmeath : there
was none to be gained there," &c.

In the same work it is recorded that —

"Bryan Oge O'Duyne, a rank Puritan, a brother-in-law of
Sir John Pigott (the hated ancestor of the Pigott dynasty in Ireland),
and chiefe motor of his obstinacie, was saved by the generous Colonel
O'Fferall."

In the same work it is also recorded that at the battle of
Letterkenny, "of the verie Ferralls there were killed eighteen
captains."

134 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

This Lieutenant-General O'Farrell commanded a special regiment
whicli was raised in and around his native county. Of this regiment
the following details are found in a muster-roll of the Catholic army,
taken at Waterford^ 24th January, 1649 : —

"Major Farrall's company does consist of 7 officers and 38 men.

" Captaine Bryan O'Rourke's, of 9 officers and 49 men.

" Captaine Mangle's company, of 3 officers and 14 men.

" Captaine Fergus O'Ferrall's company, including servants, etc., etc.,
doe amount in all vnto 46.

" Captaine Michael O'Ferrall's company, including servants, etc., etc.,
doe amount in all vnto 43.

" Captaine Eichard O'Farrall's company, including servants, etc., etc.,
doe amount in all vnto 29.

" Captaine Walter Philhps' company, including servants, etc., etc.,
doe amount in all vnto 68.

" Captaine Connell O'Farrall's company, including servants, etc., etc.,
doe amount in all vnto 27.

" Captaine Gerrald O'Farrall's company, including servants, etc., etc.,
doe amount in all vnto 22.

"Captaine Hanly's company, including servants, etc., etc., doe
amount in all vnto 88.

" Captaine Charles Eeynold's company, including servants, etc., etc.,
doe amount in all vnto 59.

" Absent at Ballyhack, by certificate, from the lieutenant-generall,
from all the regiments, 1 2.

" Staff officers, 6.

" Lieutenant-G-enerall Richard O'Ferrall's regiment, including
servants, corporalls, drumes, and common soldiers, doe amount in all
vnto 430.

" In the Roconnell skirmish, in 1642, the Irish lost in this vnhappie
skirmish the honor of the place, theire armes and amunition, 25 colours,
many gentlemen killed, among whom was one named Conacke McEosse
Fferrall."

a
m
P3

flISTOET OF THE COUTVTT LONGFORD. 137

, The foregoing few extracts may counterbalance in the reader's mind
the dismal effect of reading the previous whine from the late owners of
the county in 1641.

We now pass on to the advent of Oliver Cromwell on the scene of
Irish affairs.

Oliver Croniwell landed in Ireland in 1649, almost at the close of the
war of the Confederated Catholics, which had been waged unceasingly
in different parts of the country for seven years. Haverty says of this
visit : — " Oliver Cromwell, the extraordinary man who was then
beginning to sway the destinies of England, had, by a unanimous vote
of the Parliament, been made lieutenant-general of the forces in Ireland
so far back as March 28th, 1649. But the troubles with the ' levellers '
and others had so far retarded the setting out of his expedition for this
country. At length he sailed from Milf ord Haven on the 1 3th of August,
and landed at Dublin on the 14th, having altered his original plan, which
was to land in Munster. He brought with him 9,000 foot, 4,000 horse,
several pieces of artillery, an abundant supply of all kinds of military
stores, and £20,000 in money. His son-in-law, Commissary-Greneral
Ireton, followed as second in command. The Parliamentary force in
Dublin now exceeded 16,000men, and on August 30th Cromwell took the
field with a well-provisioned army of 10,000 picked men, and marched
to lay siege to Drogheda, then deemed next in importance to Dublin as
a miliiiary post."

Then follows a description of the reduction of Ireland by Cromwell
and his Scripture-canting barbarians, which, from the very horrors
depicted in it, as well as the fact that, in all probability, every reader
of history knows more or less about it, is here omitted. A second quo-
tation from Haverty will bring the matter about to be here inserted
more properly and more thoroughly before the reader : — "a.d. 1652. —
The ruin that now overspread the face of Ireland must have been dark
and sorrowful enough, but the measure of her woes was yet to be filled
up. "War, and famine, and pestilence, had done their share, but
the rapine and vengeance, which assumed the name of law, had

K

138 HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

yet to complete the work of desolation. Cromwell and his
Council had, indeed, seriously contemplated the utter extermina-
tion of the Irish race ; but the fiendish project appeared still too
difficult, and even to them too revolting. And, accordingly,
by the Act passed for the settlement of Ireland by the Parliament of
England, August l2th, 1652, it was decreed that full pardon should be
granted to all husbandmen and others of the inferior sort not possessed
of lands or goods exceeding the value of £10; whilst persons of pro-
perty were to be otherwise disposed of, according to a certain classifi-
cation. All the great landed proprietors and all the Catholic clergy
were excepted from pardon of life or estate ; others, who merely held
commissions as officers in the army, were to be banished and forfeit
their estates, except the equivalent to one-third, which would be
assigned for the support of their wives and children. Those who,
although not opposed to the Parliament, might be found worthy of
mercy, and who were not included under any of the preceding heads,
also forfeited two-thirds of their estates, but were to receive an equiva-
lent to the remaining third wherever the Parliament chose to allot it
to them ; and, finally, all who were perfectly innocent, that is, who had
no share whatever in the war, but yet were not in the actual service of
the Parliament, or had not manifested their constant ' good affection '
to it, forfeited one-third of their estates, and were to receive an equiva-
lent to the remainder elsewhere. Thus, all the Catholic gentry were
indiscriminately deprived of their estates ; and such as might be declared
by Cromwell's Commissioners innocent of the rebellion, and were to
receive back any portion of them, should transplant themselves and
their families beyond the Shannon, where allotments of the wasted
tracts of Connaught and Clare would be given to them. The other
three provinces were reserved for the Protestants, and any of the
transplanted Catholics who might be found in them after the 1st May,
1654, without a passport, might, whether man, woman, or child, be
killed without trial or order of magistracy by anyone who met or
knew them ! Moreover, those who, by ' the Act of Grace,' were given

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 139

allotments in Clare or Connauglit, were obliged to give releases from
their former titles in consideration of what was now assigned to them,
in order to bar them ever again seeking their former inheritance ; and
they were sent into wild and uncultivated districts, without cattle to
stock the land, or implements to till, or houses to shelter them, so that
many of the Irish gentlemen and their families perished of cold and
hunger. They were not suffered to reside within two miles of the
Shannon, or four miles of the sea, or in any garrison or market town
whatever."

The excessive barbarity of the Puritans to the Irish in this matter
was bad enough, but the utter carelessness of what became of the
Irish when they went across the Shannon was even worse. It was in
the midst of winter, and, as Haverty says, " Many of the Irish gentle-
men, and their weak, young families, perished of cold and hunger."
But what recked the iron-hearted monster who directed the murderous
proceeding ? Very little wonder is it, indeed, that the Irish people
would shudder at the "curse of Cromwell," for, indeed, they were
cursed by him in those days.

Under this state of things the following landed gentlemen of the
County of Longford and their families were dispossessed of their estates,
which were either sold to Cromwellian troopers or other adventurers —
the hereditary owners having to transplant themselves and their families
beyond the Shannon immediately : —

County op Longford, 1653.

Fergus Farrell, Ardanragh; Feaghny Farrell, Coolcroy; John
Farrell, Tyrlicken ; Francis Farrell, Mornyne ; Thomas Bowling,
Abbey shrule; James Farrell, Tynehck; Bdmond Farrell, Lisryian;
Edmond Dalton, Loughrill ; Thomas Fitzgerald, Newcastle ; John
Murtagh, Crinaghmore ; Hubert Dillon, Cartronboy ; James Dillon,
Ballymulvey ; William MacJames Farrell, Moherboy ; EUinor Farrell,
Ballmore ; William Greoghagan, Robbinstown ; John Nugent, Ballin-
logh; Faghny Farrell, Newtown; Lysagh Farrell, Listibbot; Bryen

140 HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

Farrell, Flaslongf ord ; Garret Fitzgerald, Oornadoncty ; Hubert
Farrell, Ballynaliay ; Faghny Ffarrell, Orygh.

In 1657, Cromwell assumed the title of Protector and a sovereignty
over the three kingdoms, which so disgusted his co-regicides that they
withdrew from his army, and left him to enjoy his glory alone ; and the
same year he ordered one Christopher Grough to make out a list of the
" forfeiting" Papist proprietors in each county in Ireland. This list
embraces the names of all those whose estates had been confiscated,
but from which they had not been driven, but were allowed to remain
in a state of dependency ; and in many cases, as if by the intervention
of a kind Providence, the officers of the Commonwealth, as well as
those who were to receive the lands, either failed to claim them or were
persuaded by sonje momentary consideration not to disturb the old
proprietors, and merely held the deeds which subsequently made them
landlords ; otherwise there had been no native Irish left in Longford
County.

County of Longfoed, 1657.
A List of the Papist Proprietors named in the County of Longford,

as they are returned in the several surveys of the said county.

Barony of Longford.
There were 37 confiscations in this barony alone : —
Sir Richard Browne, Ballinamore ; Connor O'Casie, William Cliffe,
Teig O'Casie, Cormock O'Casie, Hugh Duffe, Doolerocke ; Laurence
Dowdall, Aghnemodda ; Laurence Dowdall, Cronrish ; Bryan Ffarrell,
Ballygorrow (Garve) ; Bryan M'Manus Farrell, Conn Oge Ffarrell,
Ardronin ; Daniel Farrell, Corglass ; Francis Ffarrell, Mornin ; Faghny
Ffarrell, Newtown ; Edmond Flynn, Uriell Farrell, Garrett Farrell,
Esker; James Farrell, Killashee; Morrogh Farrell, Ehyne; Eory
Farrell, Cornacally ; Thomas Ffarrell, Ballycarr ; Anthony Ffarrell,
Cornefinthane ; Conge Ffarrell, Edmond M'Donnell Farrell, James
Ffarrell, Tinelicke ; Hugh Ffarrell, Drimure ; Hubert Ffarrell, Gort-

HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED. I4l

morin ; Lysagh Tarrell, Clonbalt ; Moha MacShane Farrell, Bellagli ;
Eobert Tarrell, Oamagli ; Oliver Fitzgerald, Portinare ; Bryan Farrell,
Bannery ; Edward Nugent, Lisaghnedin j Owen Reynolds, Kiltervagh.

Barony 'of Moydow.

There were 21 confiscations here : —

William Ffarrell, Ballintobber ; William Ffarrell, Curry; Conagh
M'Teigh Ffarrell, Lislea ; Faghny Farrell, Oloonrine ; Edmond Ffarrell,
GriUaghmine ; John M'Kedagh Ffarrell, Ballycore ; Hubert Ffarrell,
Clonee ; James M'Grarret FfarreU, Ballymahon ; Eoger MacBryan
Ffarrell, LisdufEe ; Daniel MacShane Ffarrell, Bunerboy ; John M'Bryen
Ffarrell, Bunerboy; Kedagh M'Garrold Ffarrell, Ballintampan ; Teig
Kenny, Grortenboy; Roger M'Bryan Ffarrell, Creyduff; James M'Kedagh
Ffarrell, Ballyneclude ; Fergus M'Shane Ffarrell, Bunerboy ; Hugh
M'Gerald Ffarrell, Oarrow; Morrogh M'Terlagh Farrell, Carhuemanagh
(Caramanna) ; Francis Farrell, Moynin ; Richard Farrell, Bawn.

Ban'ony of Ardagh.

There were 37 confiscations in this barony : —

Geoffrey Cormack, Farnagh ; Grarret Dellamore, Streete ; Richard
Delamore, BalHnfid ; Sir John Dungan (Dunigan), Castletown; Connor
Farrell, Ballow; James Farrell, Tinerare ; Comrogh Ffarrell, Kilfinton;
Donnogh Ffarrell, Ballow ; Hubert Ffarrell, Ballow ; Connogh Ffarrell,
Motenwally; William Ffarrell, Lisrian; Edmond Farrell, Kilfinton;
Hugh Ffarrell, Rinminy ; Hugh Ffarrell, Ffrighan ; Richard Ffarrell,
Ballinree ; James Ffarrell, Clonfinagh ; Connell Ffarrell, Camlisk ;
Donnogh Ffarrell, Kilkrihy ; Charles Ffarrell, Cartronragh ; Edward
Ffarrell, Grarryandrew ; Grarret Ffarrell, Killinasleragh ; William
Ffarrell, Liscarrell Eghter ; Luke Hiraghty, Kilfinton ; Patrick
Hiraghty, Kilfinton ; Owen M'Kiernan, Kilfinton ; Lord JSTetterville, of
Ballygart; James Nugent, Coolamber, Westmeath; Edward Nugent,
Lisaghnedin ; Bartholomew Nangle, Longford ; Edward Nugent, Mos-
trim (Bdgeworthstown) ; John Nugent, Druming ; John Newgent,

142 HISTOBY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

Culwin, County Westmeath; Christoplier Nugent, Moynnstowne, County
Westmeatk; James Quinn, Lisdrinagh. ; Sir Oliver Tuite, Sonnagh,
County Westmeath ; Patrick Ffox, Rathreagli.

Barony of BathcUne.

Thirty confiscations ; no addresses given : —

Nicholas Barnwell, Mary Clarke, Edmond Dalton, James Dillon,
Bdmond Dillon, Hubert Dillon, Grarret Dillon, Hubert Dillon, Grarret
Dillon, James Dillon, Sir James Dutton, Thomas Dutton, Bryan Ffarrell,
Bdmond Ffarrell, Ffaghny Ffarrell, James Ffarrell, Ffrancis Ffarrell,
Hubert Farrell, James Ffarrell, John Ffarrell, Richard Ffarrell, "William
Ffarrell, Oliver Fitzgerald, Glerald Fitzgerald, Thomas Fitzgerald, John
Ffox, Oliver Fitzgerald, Donnough Keoghan, William Ffarrell, The
Lord of Roscommon.

Barony of Shrule.

Twenty confiscations ; no addresses given : —

Nicholas Barne well, James Dillon, Edmond Ffarrell, Ffergus Ffarrell,
Francis Ffarrell, Grarrett Ffarrell, Thomas Fitzgerald, James Ffarrell,
John Ffarrell, Lisagh Ffarrell, Richard Ffarrell, Teig Ffarrell, Thomas
Fitzgerald, Charles Fox, John Murtagh, John Murlogh, James Quinn,
and Sir John Seaton.

Barony of Qranard.

Nicholas Archbold, Moyne ; Henry Connell, Cloyshoge ; William
Dermot, Clonagh; Connill Ffarrell, Kilosona; James Ffarrell, Kilosona;
Edmond M'Hugh Farrell, Coolearty ; Fergus M'Bryan Farrell, Tully ;
Donald M' William Farrell, Clonfin ; Edmond M'Hubert Farrell, Mon-
ascriba ; Bryan Farrell, Carragh ; James M'Cahell Farrell, Killason-
nagh ; Patrick M'Bryan Farrell, Rinroe ; Bryan Farrell, Tomewarden ;
Charles Farrell, Canan ; Daniel Farrell, Kilfrielly ; Connoch Farrell
M'Rosse, Clonlawchill ; Edmond Ffarrell Duffe, Grurtinechuill ; Hugh
Ffarrell, Kilnemodagh; James Farrell M'Fergus, Tully; Nicholas
Jones, Leitrim ; Thomas Kiernan, Rathcarr ; Bryan Kiernan, Justha-
vogue ; Bryan Keernan, Aghakine ; Nicholas Nugent, Aghanigarran ;

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 143

Andrew Nugent, Donore, Westmeath ; John Nugent, Ballinclogli ;
Christoplier Nugent, Drumenewher ; Ricliard Nugent, Aghnagarrowne ;
Oliver Fifarrell, Corbehy.

As history tells us, Cromwell died on September 4th, 1658, and
his son Richard, who had been made Protector, retired from that post
in 1659, whereupon General Monk marched from Scotland to London
with his army, and there had Charles II. proclaimed King, and on May
1st, 1660, royalty was restored in England.

By order of the Governors of Ireland, a census of this country was
taken in the year 1659, when the population of the County Longford
was found to be laid out as follows : —

In the barony of Ardagh there were 19 English, 971 Irish, and a
total of 990 people. The resident gentlemen were : — Richard Arch-
bold, Glynn ; Darby Toole, Lisdrinagh ; Captain J. Edgeworth, Crana-
lagh. And the names of the principal Irish families were : — Cline,
Cargy, Cormack, and MacCormack, Cowley, M'Connell, Farrell, Kiernan,
Kenny, M'Loughhn, Leavy, Murtagh, Mulligan, Moore and Reilly.

In the barony of Longford there were 396 Irish and 67 English. The
gentlemen residing in the barony were : — Sir Arthur Eorbes, Castle-
Eorbes ; Alexander Aghmooty, Ballybrian ; William Pillsworth Minard ;
Lieutenant Thomas Babington, Longford ; and Hannibal Seaton, of
Moneylagan. The principal Irish families were : — MacDonnell, 10
people; Farrells, 17; O'Hagans, 6; MacElvay, 5; Knowlan, 5; Quinn,
4 ; and MacKay, 4. The total population of Longford barony in those
days was 463 people, all told ; of these, 52 formed the population of
Longford borough.

In the barony of Rathcline there were 849 Irish and 83 English,
making a grand total of 932. The principal Irish families were : — The
MacBryans, O'Connors, O'Cronines, Cormicks, and MacCormacks,
Dowlans, Kellys, Keegans, O'Dowleys, Mulvihills, Gills, Murrays,
Hopkinses, Murtaghs, and Skellys. And the gentry of the barony
were : — Adam Molyneux and Nicholas Dowdall, of Ballimulloe (not now

144 HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED,

existing, I think) ; Thomas Robinson and Grriffith Jones, o£ Clagh ;
Edward Clarke, of Claris ; and Robert Mills, of Fermoyle.

In the barony of Shrule there were 694 Irish and 42 English,
making a total of 736. The principal Irish families were the Bardens,
MacCormicks, Cahills, Corrigans, MacDowels, Daleys, Earrells, Kaines,
M'Jeffreys, Keenans, Keegans, Kennys, Quinns, and Mulledys. The
local gentry were : — Mathew Wilder, of Cliduff ; Richard Certaine, of
Cloghanbiddy ; Tibbott Dillon, of Clonkeen ; and. Hubert Farrell and
Simon Sandys, of Crevaghmore.

In Moydow barony there were 182 Irish and 4 English. The prin-
cipal Irish families were : — The Caseys, 12 people ; Oormicks and
MacCormicks, 19 ; Donlans, 7 ; Dooners, 5 ; Duffs, 6 ; Farrells, 23 ;
Kennys, 16; Morrows, 7; Powers, 6; Keegans, 7; and M'Evoys, 6.
The local gentry were : — Thomas Newcomen, of Ballinamore ; and
"Walter Tuite, of Castlereagh.

In the great barony of Glranard there were only 1,416 Irish and 66
English, making a total of 1,482 people. The principal Irish families
were : — The • Biglanes, 7 ; Bradys, 23 ; MacBryans, 5 ; M'Cabes, 7 ;
M'Connells, 6 ; Cahills, 6; Connellans, 5; Dermotts and MacDermotts,
11 ; Donohos, 18 ; MacDonnells, 8 ; Duffys, 10; Farrells, 25; G-affneys,
10 ; Maguires, 8 ; MacHughs, 6 ; O'Haras, 5 ; Kiernans, 34 ; Kellys, 6 ;
Mulligans, 16; Mahons, 6; Mastersons, 9; Nugents, 8; Reillys, 67;
Smiths, 5 ; and Sheridans, 7. The principal resident gentlemen were : —
Thomas Flood, Newtown ; Richard Kennedy, G-lenaughill ; Wilham
Longford, Cloncoss; and Andrew Adaire, of the Corporation of St.
Johnstown (now Ballinalee).

This would go to show that the whole County of Longford only con-
tained, in the year 1659, a population of 5,392, of which 281 were of
English, and 5,111 of Irish birth or descent.

On March 19th, 1661, Charles II. appointed a Court of Claims, to
reinstate those persons in their estates who had been dispossessed of
them by the Cromwellians. This appointment was made in pursuance
of a declaration by Charles 11. on November 30th, 1660, in which it

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED. 147

was ordered that every soldier and adventurer -who had become possessed
of lands in Ireland prior to or during the late rebellion, and who had
since aided his restoration, would enjoy (and his heirs) for ever the
lands so obtained ; and every innocent Papist who had neither aided
the Nuncio, Rinuccini, prior to 1647, or Cromwell after that period, was
also ordered to be restored to his estate, and a crown rent was then fixed
on all the lands in Leinster, Munster, Connaught and Ulster, at the
rate of 3d., 2Jd., l|d. and Id. respectively, per acre. The following
persons in the County of Longford who had been deprived of their
estates, were admitted by this declaration to their enjoyment again : —

Connell Farrell,* Camlisk; Lewis O'Farrol, Lieut-Col. Terence
Ferall, John MacEory Farrell, Faghny Ferrall, Grerald Ferrall, Richard
Farrell, John Farrell, Charles Ferrall, Sir Richard Barnewell, Francis
Lord Aungier (Lord Longford).

No further effort was, however, made to restore all the confiscated
property which belonged to the native chieftains; and true to the
treacherous record of the Stuart family, Charles II. left his wretched
subjects in Ireland to pine under the weight of their miseries.

In 1685, James II., the weak and vacillating monarch who lost his
kingdom so easily, ascended the throne. From him the Catholics and
the Irish expected relief ; nor would they have been disappointed were
it not for the weak character of the King, and the powerful factions
which barred the way to reform. Very little could be done, and at
length, in 1688, the Protestants of England resolved to throw off their
allegiance to James, and to set up a Protestant King in his stead. The
big lords and fat squires, whose ancestors had robbe'd the monks and
plundered the abbey lands of England, were afraid that if Catholicity
were restored they would have to disgorge some of their ill-gotten pos-
sessions, and they were all so terrified at the bare idea of the return of
Papacy, and the granting of the commonest principles of justice to their
fellow-citizens, who demanded Ifberty of conscience and a free exercise

* His descendants are still holding some of the land to which he was restored in 1660.

L

148 HISTOEy OJP THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

of their religion, tliat they resolved to hurl from his throne the man who
dared to go to a Mass or keep a Popish chaplain. Whilst James's con-
duct as a soldier and a statesman is decidedly the reverse of praise-
worthy, certainly his heroism and fortitude in defence of what he
prized most on earth — ^his religion — and his charity towards the
ungrateful children who ruled on his downfall, compels even adverse
critics to give their meed of praise ; and if any one thing more than
another contributed speedily to ruin him, it was the fact that his fervour
in the Catholic cause " o'erleaped " itself, and precipitated the decision
of the Protestants. This was to invite to their assistance, as the saviour
of Protestantism, the renowned "glorious, pious, and immortal"
William of Orange. William was just then after saving his own country
irom the attacks of the French, having vowed, it is said, that he would
die in her " last ditch " to uphold Luther and the Bible. To him was
married Mary, daughter of James — even a more furious bigot than her
amiable spouse — and they landed in England on November 5th, 1688.
The unfortunate James, having been deserted by all his troops and
highest officers, was taken prisoner in his own kingdom at Torbay, from
whence he escaped to France on December 23rd, 1688. Here he was
received and sheltered by the French King, and, having been given a
supply of men, arms, and money, he landed in Ireland on March 11th,
1689, to endeavour to recover at least that part of his kingdom. The
Irish Catholics at once flocked to his aid, and forgetting, as they are
wont to do, the awful injustices heaped on them by his father and grand-
father, professed their loyalty and devotion to him. James marched
straight to Dubln on landing, and on May 20th called a Parliament
there, which is known as King James's Parliament. This assembly, in
which the County of Longford was represented by Eoger Farrell and
Robert Farrell, and the borough of Lanesborough by Oliver Fitzgerald
and Roger Farrell, sat for six weeks, during which they passed Acts
repealing all that had been done by Cromwell's Parliament and Charles
IL's Parliament, turning the Protestants out of all their lands got by
confiscation, and reinstating the Catholic proprietors.

HISTORY OF THE COITNTT LONCrFORD. 149

♦ But in July 1 690, James II. was defeated, as we all know, by his
own cowardice at the battle of the Boyne, and the Protestants of Ire-
land, as well as England, succeeded in setting up a King to their liking.
During the rebellion, the County Longford was invaded by a large party
of Catholics, who besieged Lord Grranard's castle, burned Newtown-
forbes and Killashee, and looted several country seats. The same
year it was made a frontier English post, and large military forces were
massed at Lanesborough, Rooskey, and Newtownforbes, in order to
prevent the passage of the Shannon ; and so, in Longford as elsewhere;
ended the total subjugation of the Irish chieftains ; the break-up of
their clan system by Queen Ehzabeth ; the plantation of their country
by James I. and Charles I. ; the murder and massacre of thousands of
their numbers by Cromwell ; and, finally, the extinction of the last
vestige of Irish liberty at the Boyne, on July 1st, 1690.

For the continuation of our county history we cannot look for
better material than to turn to the journals of the Irish Houses of
Parliament, which contain records of county events of considerable
importance.

Extracts from the Journals of the Irish House of Commons.
Date— 5th Oct., 1692 ; 24th Dec, 1713.
Extracts of Petitions.

No. 4.—" Oct. 17th, 1692.— Petition of Mr. Fergus Farrell, of
Lanesborough, to be discharged negatived ; charged in his place in the
House with bearing arms under the late King James II. A letter from
him produced, to which he refuses to own his handwriting ; the same
proved, and resolution adopted that he has been an active instrument
against the Protestant and English succession and interest in Ireland ;
expelled the House — discharged, Oct. 31."

No. 78. — " David Cairnes, Esq., a Member, and others, the Protes-
tant creditors of one Jas. Hewetson, of Springtown, pray for a bill to
enable him to satisfy his debts. — Presented, Oct. 7th, 1695, and granted."

150 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOBD.

No. 140.—" Sir Robt. Newcomen, Bart., and others, of Counties
Longford and Eoscommon, pray for a bill to charge estates of Irish
Papists for the cost of building a bridge across the River Shannon, at
Lanesborough. — Petition presented, Oct. 30, 1703 ; leave granted."

No. 295. — " Christopher Hewetson, a Member, wrote explaining
that Sir George Lane, Knt., passed a certificate and letters patent of
the manor of Rathline and LisdufEe, in the County of Longford, under
colour of being a forfeited estate, and obtained a clause in the Act of
Settlement for confirmation thereof, and, as a bill is now preparing for
settling the possessions of those who derive under the Acts of Settle-
ment and Explanation, praying that he may have a clause in the said
bill to enable him to recover his said right. — Presented, 1695, Sept.
26. Referred to Committee appointed to prepare said heads (72).
Leave to withdraw petition, and amend same, Dec. 3 " (1.29).

No. 346. — " Edward Davis, Esq., setting forth that Robert Sands,
Esq., Collector in the County of Longford, distrained Irish lands for
the three years' rent due to his Majesty from Easter, 1692, to Easter,
1695, contrary to the vote of this house, and forced payment, although
the lands were waste at that time. — Presented, 1697, Sept. 24 (p. 208).
Referred to a committee. Committee instructed. Petition sustained."

Longford Borough.
No. 3133. — " Roger Hall, Esq., stating he was unanimously elected
for said borough, and an indenture of the election under the seal of
the Corporation of said borough was duly executed ; that the writ and
return were lost, but that the counterpart of said indenture remains in
the hands of the Sovereign of said Corporation, and praying relief. —
Presented, 1757, Nov. 15 (34). Referred to Committee of Privileges
and Elections. Order for hearing petition discharged, writ and return
being found. Nov. 24."— (41), Vol. VI.

Longford Oounty.
No. 3134. — " Sir James Nugent, Bart., complaining of an undue elec-

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 151

tion and return of the Hon. Kobert Pakenham for tlie County of Long-
ford. — Presented, 1769, Nov. 8. Referred to Committee of Privileges
and Elections. Poll-book and registry-book to be lodged with Clerk of
the House, Nov. 10 (305). Late Sheriff and Clerk of the Peace to
attend with the aforesaid books. Two returns presented. To lie on
table. Sheriff examined relative to poll-book. Committee instructed
to hear petition, Nov. 27. Dec. 23, Order, referring petition to com-
mittee, discharged." — Vol. YIII.

No. 3l35. — " Sir James Nugent, Bart., complaiuing of an undue
election and return for the County of Longford. — Presented, 1771,
March 14. Committee instructed to hear petition, March 16. Petition
withdrawn. May 8."

No, 329. — " Lord Baron Longford, for assistance to purchase a pro-
portionable quantity of wheat to be stored in a granary, built by him
for the use of the public. — Presented, 1763, Nov. 17. Referred to a
committee. To meet forthwith. — Granted, Dec. 5."

No. 245. — '' Sir Robert Newcomen.Bart., and others, of the Counties
of Roscommon and Longford, for heads of a bill for charging estates of
Irish Papists for rebuilding the Bridge of Lanesborough over the
River Shannon. — Presented, 1703, Oct. 30. — Leave granted."

No. 8,739. — " James, Lord Viscount Lanesborough, for satisfaction
for a scandalous case, written by Christopher Hewetson, a Member,
which reflects on the honour of the petitioner's father and himself. —
Presented, 1695, Dec. 2. Referred to a Committee for Laws. Case to
be amended."

No. 3,098. — " Henry Fox and William Burgh, complaining of an
undue election and double return for the Borough of Lanesborough. —
Presented, 1715, Nov. 18. Referred to Committee of Privileges and
Elections. Petition withdrawn, Nov. 29."

No. 3,101. — " Wentworth Harman and Robert Bray, Esq., com-
plaining of an undue election and double return for said borough. —
Presented, 1727, Dec. 8. Referred to Committee of Privileges and
Elections. Instruction 'to committee : That the said Thomas New-

152 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

comen, -who acted as Sovereign at the said election, is to lay before the
House all books in his custody belonging to said borough (481). Also,
all books in possession of William Burgh, who likewise acted as
Sovereign at said election. Report, that merit of election were only in
part heard, Jan. 24 (505). Instruction to proceed. Eesolutions, that
the petitioners be not admitted to go into the disqualifications of the
Sovereigns for the Borough of Lanesborough before the year 1716, Feb.
2 (514). That petitioners be admitted to disqualify any burgess that
voted for a magistrate at Lanesborough in the year 1716, so as they do
not call in question the legality of any Sovereign before whom such
burgess was elected and sworn. Thomas Marley, Esq., duly elected.
"Wentworth Harman, Esq., not duly returned. Robert Bray, Esq., not
duly returned. Thomas Marley, Esq., duly elected. Thomas Burgh,
Esq., duly returned.

We cannot do better at this stage than glance over the names of
the men who represented the various boroughs and the county at large
in " the old house." From a study of the names, it will be perceived
that many of them were men who made their mark in the history of the
country.

House of Commons, 1616 — 1660.

The names of Connell O'Farrell and John O'Farrell are recorded
as having been the representatives of the County Longford from 1616
to 1660.

1661—1692.

Longford. — Henry Sankey, Adam Molyneux.
Ballinalee. — ^Henry Pierce, Baronet ; John Edgeworth.
Lanesborough. — Maurice Barklay, Edward Orofton.
There were no representatives for the County at large, nor for the
Borough of Granard, in this Parliament.

1692—1713.

County. — Sir Robert Newcomen, Robert Choppin.
Longford. — Frederick Cuffe, John Nicolls.

HISTORY OF THE COrNTT LONGPOED. 153

• Grauard. — Colonel Kobert Smith, Sir Walter Plunkett.
Lanesborough. — Fergus Farrell (subsequently expelled for being a
Papist), Humplirey Jervis, Tbomas Handcock, elected to replace the
Papist, Fergus Farrell.

Ballinalee. — Alexander Frazer, John Edgeworth.

August 27th, 1695.

A ParKament sat on this date, when the representatives were : —
The County. — Sir E. Newcomen, Bart. ; William Harman.
Longford Borough. — Colonel W. Wollesley, Captain J. Nicholls
(died), Ambrose Aungier (elected instead).
Granard. — ^Walter Plunkett, John Percival.
Lanesborough. — Thomas Handcock, Eichard Gardiner.
Ballinalee. — John Edgeworth, Captain J. Aghmooty.

10th February, 1704.

The County.-^Sir Eichard Newcomen, Anthony Sheppard.
Longford Borough. — Eichard Levinge, Francis Edgeworth.
Granard. — John Percival, Wentworth Harman.
Lanesborough. — Nicholas Sankey, Henry Fox.
Ballinalee. — John Aughmooty, Ambrose Edgeworth.

Uh May, 1709.

Same representatives, except the Borough of Longford, for which
George Gore was elected in place of Francis Edgeworth, deceased.

\9th May, 1710. — Same representatives.
Mh July, 1711.— Do. do.

1715—1730.

Parliament was dissolved, and a new Parliament summoned, which
continued to sit, with a few changes, until 1730 : —

County Longford. — Sir Thomas Newcomen, Anthony Sheppard.

154 HISTOEY OF THE COTOTTY LONGFOED.

Borougli. of Longford. — Greorge Grore, Attorney-Greneral ; James
MacCartney, jun.

Grranard. — Jolin Parnell, afterwards Sir John Parnell, and ancestor
of the present illustrious Charles Stewart Parnell, M.P., leader of the
Irish people ; Jacob Peppard.

Lanesborough. — Henry Fox, William Burgh, Wentworth Harman,
Robert Bray, William Burgh, and Robert Bray, elected to sit for other
places.

Ballinalee. — Henry Edgeworth, Robert Edgeworth.

1717.— Same.
1719.— Same.

1723.

Longford Borough. — John FfoUiot, in place of George Grore, made
Earl of Lanesborough.

Grranard. — Charles Ooote, in place of John Parnelh

1725. — Robert Jocelyn, in place of Jacob Peppard, deceased.

November 14th, 1727.

County Longford. — Same representatives.
Longford Borough. — ^Michael Ouffe, Anthony Sheppard, sen.
Grranard. — James MacCartney, John FfoUiot.
Lanesborough. — Thomas Marlay, Thomas Burgh.
Ballinalee. — Henry Edgeworth, Thomas Newcomen.

September 2Srd, 1729. — Same representatives.

1731.

Lanesborough.— Anthony Marlay, in place of Thomas Marlay.

7th October, 1735.— Same representatives.
4th October, 1737. — Same representatives.

-=g gCT ^

- ^^''

t
o

t5

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 157

^th October, 1739.
County Longford. — Arthur Newcomen, Arthur Gore.
Longford Borough.— Michael Cuffe, Eichard Bdgeworth.
Rest same.

6th October, 1741. — Same representatives.

4th October, 1743.— Do. do.

6th October, 1747.*

Longford Borough.— Thomas Pakenham, elected in place of
Michael Cuffe.

Other representatives same.

1753.
Balltnalee. — Hon. John Forbes, elected in place of Henry Edgeworth.
Other representatives same.

1757.
County Longford. — Henry Grore, in the room of Arthur Gore;
sworn AprU 29th, 1757.

Longford Borough. — Roger Hall, sworn on the 24th November.

22nd October, 1761.

County Longford. — Robert Harman, John Core.

G-ranard. — Edmund Malone, Robert Sibthorpe.

Lanesborough. — William Howard, John Hely Hutchinson, Henry
Gore, elected in place of Hely Hutchinson, who, having been selected
also for Cork, chose to sit for that borough.

Longford. — Thomas j^ewcomen, Joseph Hervey.

Ballinalee. — Hon. J. Eorbes (elected to sit for Mullingar), Charles
Newcomen, Captain John Forbes.

22nd October,V76h.
County Longford. — Hon. Edward Michael Packenham, Ralph
Fetherstone, Wentworth Parsons, elected in the room of Hon. E. M.
Packenham, created Viscount Longford.

M

158 HISTOEY OP THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

8th October, l77l.
County Longford. — Henry Gore, elected in place of Ralph.
Fetherstone.

Granard. — Jervaise Bushe, Richard Malone.
Lanesborough. — Mathew Carberry, B. Bellingham Swan.
Longford. — David LaTouche, Warden Flood.
Ballinalee. — Charles Newcomen, Ralph Fetherstone.

12th October, 1773.
Ballinalee. — Robert Jepson.

10th October, 1775.
County Longford. — Laurence Harman Harman.

18th June, 1776.
Granard. — Thomas MaunseU, John Kilpatrick.
Lanesborough. — Robert Dillon.
Longford. — John Immodine.
Ballinalee. — Hon. J. Yaughan.

10th February, 1780.
Granard. — William Long Kinsman, in place of J. Kilpatrick.
Ballinalee. — Sackville Hamilton, in place of Sir Ralph Fetherstone.

Uth October, 1783.
County Longford. — Laurence Harman Harman, Henry Gore.
Granard. — George Jephson, G. W. Molyneux.

Lanesborough. — David LaTouche, Robert Dillon, Cornelius Bolton.
Longford. — Hon. Thomas Packenham, Henry Stewart (elected to
sit for Antrim), Hercules Rowley.

Ballinalee. — Sir Thomas Fetherstone, Nicholas Colthurst.

20th January, 1785. — Same.

HISTOETOFTHE COUNTY LONGFOED 159

19th January, 1792.

Comity Longford. — Laurence Harman Harman, Sir W. Grieadowe
Newcomen.

G-ranard. — J. Ormsby Vandaleur, Thomas Packenham Vandaleur.
Lanesboroiigli. — G-ervaise Bushe, Stephen Moore.
Longford. — Hon. Thomas Taylor, Henry Stewart.
Ballinalee. — Greorge Cavendish, John Taylor.

•^ 22nd January, 1795.

County Longford. — Caleb Barnes Harman, in place of Laurence
Harman Harman,

Lanesborough. — ^William Smith.

Longford, — Thomas Pepper.

21st August, 1797.
County Longford. — Sir Thomas Fetherstone, Sir W. Gleadowe
Newcomen.

Granard. — G-. Fulke Lyttleton, Ross Mahon.
Lanesborough. — Edmund Stanley, Eichard Martin.
Longford. — Hon. Thomas Packenham, Henry Stewart.
Ballinalee. — Richard Lovell Bdgeworth, Hon. William Moore.

In the Irish House of Lords there were four peers who sat in virtue
of patents of nobility for places in the County Longford. These were
the Earls of Longford, Granard, Lanesborough and Annaly. As the
private history of each of these families will appear further on, I do
not deem it essential to the present subject to give extracts relating to
their various acts in the gilded chamber of College-green. A few
extracts will show as much of these as will be now necessary.

"In 1761, Lord Longford obtained leave of the House to petition
the House of Lords for a public Granary at Longford."

"On the 16th February, 1789, the Earl of Longford was a dissen-
tient on the motion, 'that m addressing the Prince of Wales, the Lords
and Commons discharged an indispensable duty.' "

160 mSTOEY OP THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

" In 1800 the Lord Grranard, several times during the passing of
the Act of Union of Great Britain and Ireland, vigorously protested
against same, and was a dissentient at every stage up to the third read-
ing of the Bill."

" On Monday, 27th January, 1766, the Eight Hon. John Gore,
Attorn ey-Greneral, was created first Lord Annaly, of Tenelick, County
Longford. He was elected Speaker of the House of Lords in 1767,
which position he held until his death in 1780. He was a vigorous
opponent of the Volunteer movement." '

Whilst many of the late events which are recorded in the foregoing
extracts were occurring, the. discontent of the Catholic inhabitants of
Ireland was finding vent in the formation of that powerful secret society,
the " United Irishmen ;" and before the century had closed, the time
arrived when the last stand-up fight for Irish liberty took place.
This was in 1798, when there broke out the desultory war, which our
rulers are pleased to call a rebellion, and during which, on several
occasions, the English felt a taste of that Irish chivalry which they had
begun to despise. Strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless true, that
it was in Longford County the great drama of the rebellion of 1798 was
concluded.

The French Directory, at the solicitation of Wolfe Tone, who acted
on behalf of the Irish Directory of the United Irishmen, determined to
send an expedition of troops to Ireland, to assist the latter in their
attempt to shake off the yoke of British thraldom. The United Irish-
men rose in rebellion, as agreed among themselves ; but their rising
was not simultaneous, neither was it organized ; and, to add to their
misfortunes, the French expedition did not sail at the time the Dublin
Directory expected. Consequently, the rising was crushed and past
when the French commander, Humbert, sailed from Brest with his
troops. Nevertlieless, he landed in Killala early in August, captured
Castlebar, and marched for Dublin. The southern pass to the capital
was closed at Athlone, and Humbert thought that by taking the
northern route he would baffle pursuit, and bring a host with him who

HISTORY OP*THT<] COCNTY LONGFORD. 161

would strike terror to the hearts of the British. In both these expecta-
tions he was disappointed. The tyranny and oppression of the British
soldiers and officers at the outset of the rebellion had crushed the spirit
of the Irish peasantry, whose lives were daily sacrificed, homes burned,
and crops destroyed, by the yeomen and soldiery ; and so it was but
the young and hardy men of each county who joined him. On the other
hand, General Lake hung on his rear with a large force of troops, and
Lord Cornwallis marched from Dublin with all the available troops in
Leinster, to intercept Humbert in his route, so that when both armies
effected a junction they were fully eighteen to one, Humbert's force not
amounting to more than 2,000 men.

Humbert had marched from Colooney to Boyle, thence to the north
of Carrick-on-Shannon, where he crossed that river and halted at a
small village called Cloone, in the County of Leitrim. Here, it is said,
an English spy, called Neary, who had originally been a servant to a
Mr. West, of Cloone, in the darkness of the night stole the chains of
the French cannon ; and, when a^out to move in the morning, there
could be only some ropes got with which to bring along a few cannon,
the major portion having to be left behind. It is but a very few days
ago since I was told that the chains of Humbert's cannon are yet in the
village of Cloone, in the possession of the Protestant gentleman there,
to whose grandfather Neary had sold them. There are many thrilling
tales told of this battle, and the names of a number of brave men who
heroically distinguished themselves on the battle-field are held in pro-
found veneration to this very day among the people of the County
Longford. Such a one is Gunner M'Gee, whose services to the cause
of Ireland at Ballinamuck were of the highest order. He was a soldier
in the English artillery, and was present at the "Races of Castlebar."
Here the inward promptings of a brave and noble heart inspired him
to desert from the British ranks to those of his countrymen, and he
became in the " rebel " (?) lines a tremendous aid to his brethren in
many ways. At the battle of Ballinamuck he had charge of a cannon,
which he used to such good purpose and aimed with such precision, that

162 aiSTOEY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

he twice confused the British ranks. At length his ammunition ran short,
and he had not missiles to place in his gun. In this extremity a number
of the camp pots and kettles were smashed to pieces, and with these it
was loaded. The British were advancing in heavy order, a massive
column having just been ordered up to carry the day. But M'Glee,
taking careful aim, fired his cannon with such precision that a lane of
dead and dying was cut through the advancing host. This, however,
was his last shot, for the British just then succeeded in capturing the
other guns the French had, and they captured poor M'Gee, too, and
strangled him as he bravely stood by the side of his faithful gun. It
is related that there were two cousins of his at the gun at the last dis-
charge, whose action was the bravest performed that day. When Magee
was ready to fire, having just completed the loading, one of the stocks
of a wheel broke, and the gun could not be- fired, until these two
cousins, stepping forward, propped it up with their backs whilst M'Gee
applied the match. The discharge broke their spines, and their miser-
able state was soon put an end to when the gun was captured.

The following letters, written by British ofiicers, who commanded
at this battle, speak volumes for the humanity of the victors : —

" Ballina, October 3, 1798.

" My very dear Friend, — I was in Dublin the evening the express
brought intelligence that the French had landed. I went the same
day to Naas ; it was eleven o'clock at night when I arrived. You will
admit that I had a great escape. The army had marched ; I followed
and overtook them at Frankfort. We marched from thence to Athlone,
where we joined the Commander-in-Chief's grand army, destined for
Castlebar. We then marched forward and encamped at a little village
called Baltimore (Ballymore). The next evening we lay at Knock, on
the side of a mountain. From that we proceeded to Tuam, and there
encamped ; we were then ordered to join General Taylor's brigade on
their march from Sligo ; our regiment (the Armagh) and the. Reay
Fencibles left Tuam Camp (consisting of 14,000 soldiers), and marched
through Castlebar for Ballaghadereen, where we lay that night. Here

HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 163

it was that I met my brother with the Light Brigade from Blairs ; you
may conceive what I felt' on the occasion. About two in the morning
we marched from Swinford for Castlebar, but the French had given iis
the slip and went for Sligo ; we encamped at Tubbercurry. The French
and Limerick militia had a skirmish at Colooney ; many were killed on
both sides ; we lost two pieces of cannon. Same evening we lay at
Drumahair. Our advanced guard pressed so hard after the French,
that they left seven pieces of cannon and a great quantity of ammunition
on the road ; the road was dreary and waste, owing to their depreda-
tions, the houses being all plundered. Next day we marched upwards
of twenty miles, and encamped near Leitrim. They attempted to break
one of the bridges down, but the Hessians charged and killed many of
them, which forced them to retire ; the road was strewed with dead
bodies. Near Cloon they drew up in line of battle, but on our advance
they retreated towards Grranard. At Ballinamuck they drew up again,
and extended their line across a bog to prevent the cavalry from
charging them, and planted their cannon on a hill to the left of the
road, as it led through the bog ; and in this order they awaited our
approach. The Light Brigade attacked them first ; our Light Company,
after a few fires, leaped into their trenches, and a dreadful carnage
ensued. The French cried for mercy. We ran for four miles before
we could get into action ; the men forgot all their troubles and fought
like furies. We pursued the rebels through the bog ; the country for
miles was covered with their slain. We remained for a few days burying
the dead ; hung General Blake and nine of the Longford Militia. We
brought 113 prisoners to Carrick-on- Shannon ; nineteen of them we
executed in one day, and left the remainder with another regiment to follow
our example, and then marched to Boyle. — Yours," &c.

"Killeshandra, Sept., 1798.
My, dear Brother, — God only knows my grief of mind for your
present situation. You being still alive is a strong argument that the
hearts of all men are in the hands of the Most High. Some days before

164 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

the battle of Ballinamuck we were much alarmed here, although we
little thought the French were so near us. The day previous to the
battle our yeomen — horse and foot, Carrickgallon and Oakhill men, 106
in number — went to Ballinamuck, on an information that a vast number
of rebels were there the day before ; yet, after traversing the mountains,
not a man could be seen ; they returned by Ballinalee and Bunlahey.
That evening, expresses from Ballinamuck informed us that the French
were there. The yeomen of that place fled to Ballyconnel and Beltur-
bet. The main body of the French lay in Cloon that night. A Lieu-
tenant West had his horse shot under him while reconnoitring the
enemy. The wounded beast carried his master two miles, when he
fell ; the helmet was also shot off the lieutenant's head. The French
general and most of the officers agreed to take some rest at Cloon, giving
orders that they should not be suffered to sleep more than two hours ;
the guard let them sleep four hours, by which time the English army
came much nearer than the French expected. This was the place
Greneral Lake's vanguard skirmished with their rearguard, and from
thence to Ballinamuck, four miles from Ballinalee, and four from Cloon.
The French being closely pursued, prepared for an unavoidable battle.
They formed on a hill to very great advantage, having a bog on their
left, and a bog and lake on their right. Five flank companies, viz., the
Dublin, Armagh, Monaghan, Tipperary, and Kerry, requested General
Lake to let them mount behind the Hessians, Carabineers, and Rox-
burgh, &c., so ardent were they to overtake the enemy. This request
was granted, and they soon came up with the foe. Seeing the enemy
so advantageously posted, wisdom was needful on the part of our
general. A column of our troops faced to the left, and marched behind
an eminence ; to this our artillery marched in front. The enemy had
their cannon covered with pikemen, who were about to take our cannon
under cover of our own smoke. Greneral Lake, aware of their design,
ordered the artillery to retreat to another hill, and finding his men so
brave, he ordered his men to charge the French through the smoke.
This they did, and, with a terrible war-shout, so overwhelmed the French

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■ HISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 167

that they threw up their arms with caps on them, yielding themselves
prisoners. Here T should observe that the whole of the French army
was not engaged ; four hundred and more remained concealed behind
the entrenchments, and resolved by treachery to surprise our men.
When attacking the rebels the point was to get them from this hold ; a
volley or two being fired, our men feigned to retreat. The end was
answered ; the French rushed out, and our soldiers as suddenly met
them. Here the contest was desperate. In a little time the French
fell down, offering up their arms, and as our men advanced to receive
them, they treacherously arose and fired on our unguarded men, and
then fell again on their knees. The enraged troops rushed in and
killed numbers of them before they could be prevented. Thus they
overpowered, disarmed, and made prisoners all the French, before the
grand army arrived. The rebels, expecting no quarter, did all possible
harm, fired many cannon-shot, but to no effect ; they fled into a bog,
the tvhole of which was surrounded by horse and foot, who never ceased ivhile
a rebel was alive — after which the Marquis marched off with his
prisoners. They lay dead about 500. I went next day, with many
others, to see them. How awful to see that heathy mountain covered
with dead bodies, resembling at a distance flocks of sheep, for numbers
were naked and swelled with the weather ! We found fifteen of the
Longford Militia among the slain. Our loss were twelve — two of which
were Hessians, whom the yeomen took for French, and fired on."

Copy of a letter from Lieutenant-General Lake to Captain Taylor,

Private Secretary to His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, dated,

" Camp, near Ballinamuck, September 8th, 1798."

" Sir, — I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of

His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, that finding upon my "arrival at

Ballaghy the French army had passed that place from Castlebar, I

immediately followed them to watch their motions — Lieutenant-Colonel

Crawford, who commanded my advanced corps, composed of detach-

168 HISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONQFOED.

ments of Hempescli's (?) and tlae 1st Fencible Cavalry, vigilance and
activity, being so close upon tteir rear, that they could not escape from
me, altliougli they drove the country and carried with them all their
horses. After four days and nights' most severe marching, my column,
consisting of the Carabineers, detachments of the 23rd Light Dragoons,
the 1st Fencible Dragoons, and the Eoxburg Fencible Dragoons, under
the command of Colonel Sir Thomas Chapman, Lieutenant-Colonel
Maxwell, Earl of Eoden, and Captain Kerr ; the 3rd Battalion Light
Infantry, the Omagh, and part of the Kerry Eegiment, the Reay, North-
ampton and Prince of Wales' Fencible Regiments of Infantry, under
the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, of the 6th Regiment, Lord
Viscount Gosford, Earl of Glandore, Major Ross, Lieutenant- Colonel
Macartney, arrived at Cloon about seven this morning, where, having
received directions to follow the enemy in the same line, whilst his
Excellency moved by the lower road to intercept them, I advanced,
having previously detached the Monaghan Light Company, mounted
behind dragoons to harass their rear. Lieutenant-Colonel Crawford,
on coming up with the French rear-guard, summoned them to sur-
render ; but, as they did not attend to his command, he attacked them,
upon which upwards of 200 French Infantry threw down their arms,
under the idea that the rest of the corps would do the same thing.
Captain Pakenham, Lieutenant-General of Ordnance, andMajor-General
Cladock arrived, upon which I ordered up the Third Battalion of Light
Infantry, under the command, of Lieutenant- Colonel Innes, and com-
menced upon the enemy's position. The action lasted upwards of half-
an-hour, when, the remainder of the column making its appearance, the
French surrendered at discretion. The conduct of the cavalry was, on
all occasions, highly conspicuous. The Third Light Battalion, and part
of the Armagh Militia (the only infantry that were engaged), behaved
most gallantly, and deserve my warmest praise. Lieutenant-Colonel
Innes's spirit and judgment contributed much to our success. To Briga-
dier-General Taylor I have to return my most sincere thanks for his
great exertions and assistance on this day ; also to Lord Eoden, Sir

HISTOET OF THE COUNTT LONGPOED. 169

Tlaoinas Chapman, Major Kerr, and Captain Ferguson, whose example
contributed much to animate the troops. I ought not to omit Lieutenant-
Colonel Maxwell, Major Pakenham, and Captain Kerr, whose conduct
was equally meritorious, and I feel infinitely thankful to all the com-
manding officers of corps, who, during so fatiguing a march, encouraged
their men to bear it with unremitting perseverance. I cannot conclude
my letter without expressing how much our success is to be attributed
to the spirit and activity of Lieutenant-Colonel Crawford. I beg leave
to recommend him as a most deserving officer. — I have the honour
to be, &c.,

" G-. Lake,
" Lieutenant-Greneral."

Copy of the Lord Lieutenant's letter to the Duke of Portland, relative

to the defeat of the French.

" St. Johnstown (Ballinalee),

" County Longford,

" 9th September, 1798.

" My Lord, — When I wrote to your Grace on the 5th, I had every
reason to believe, from the enemy's movement to Drumahaire, that it
was their intention to march to the North, and it was natural to suppose
that they might hope that a French force would get into some of the
bogs in that part of the country, without a succour of which kind every
point of discretion for their march seemed equally desperate. I
received, however, very early in the morning of the 7th, accounts from
G-eneral Lake that they had turned to the right at Drumkeerin, and
that he had reason to believe that it was their intention to go to Boyle
or Carrick-on-Shannon, in consequence of which I hastened the march
of the troops under my immediate command, in order .to arrive before
the enemy at Oarrick, and directed Major-General Moore, who was at
Tubbercurry, to be prepared, in the event of the enemy's- movements
to Boyle. On my arrival at Carrick, I found that the enemy had

170 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONOFOED.

passed the Shannon at Ballintra, where they attempted to destroy the
bridge ; but General Blake followed them so closely that they were not
able to effect it. Under these circumstances, I felt freely confident
that one more march would brmg this disagreeable warfare to a con-
clusion ; and having obtained satisfactory information that the enemy
had halted for that night at Cloone, I marched, with the troops at
Carrick, at ten o'clock on the 7th, to Mohill, and directed Greneral Lake
to proceed at the same time to Cloone, which is about three miles from-
Mohill — by which movement I should be able to join with General
Lake in the attack of the enemy, if they should remain at Cloone, or to
intercept their retreat if they should, as it was most probable, retire on
the approach of our army. On my arrival at Mohill, soon after day-
break, I found that the enemy had begun to move towards Granard.
I, therefore, proceeded with all possible expedition to this place, through
which, I was assured, on account of a broken bridge, that the enemy
must pass on their way to Granard, and directed General Lake to
attack the enemy's rear, and impede their march as much as possible
without bringing the whole of his corps into action. Lieutenant-General
Lake performed this service with his usual attention and ability ; and
the enclosed letter, which I have just received from him, will explain
the circumstances which produced an immediate surrender of the
enemy's army. — I have the honour, &c.,

(Signed), " Cobnwallis."

A great many rebels were hanged after the battle. Amongst them
was a man named Andrew Farrell, who, although some influence was
brought to bear on the authorities to save his life, was hanged out of a
spoke-wheel car. When life was extinct, the body, and also the bodies
of several other men, were brought into a barn and stretched on a table
on some straw.. After a time, a -Catholic soldier of the Longford
Militia, who knew Farrell, came into the barn, and seeing him, said :
"Poor FarKell, I'm sorry to see you there;" whereupon a yeoman
drew his clenched hand and smote Farrell's lifeless face, breaking his

HTSTOET OF THE COUNTT LONGFORD. 171

noge, and forcing blood to the roof of the barn, whilst the Catholic
soldier could do nothing to prevent this outrageous act lest he would
bring himself into trouble. Farrell's friends afterwards attempted to
bury the body in Longford graveyard, but the authorities prevented
them ; and they had to inter it at Newtownf orbes.

Many tragic stories are told of this period of Longford history,
which shall be done full justice to further on.

The Irish rebellion was crushed with a bloody hand ; and amongst
the counties whose people suffered for their share in it, few suffered
. more than Longford. The brutal treatment which they met with had
the effect of driving them to the committal of many desperate deeds —
deeds which to-day would cause a cry of indignation to arise all over
the island, but which were then justified by the dragooning the people
received. After the rebellion, for more than a period of twenty years, no
Papist's life was safe in Longford County. There arose a class of men,
the leaders of the yeomanry, who " spotted " Croppies for execution day
by day as regularly as if the life they took was that of a dog or wolf. It
was during those days that the horrors of the Cromwellian era were
revived in Ireland; that floggings and hangings were as certain to follow
an assizes as the sun rose in the heavens at day-dawn. Above all others
who distinguished themselves in ferocity towards the Papists were the
" denouncing parsons " of that age. These men went about amongst
the people on their religious calling, and woe to the Croppy who treated
any of them with disrespect — a s.hort shrift and a long rope was his
reward. Was it any wonder, that under this state of things, a secret
society would spring up which wreaked its vengeance on yeomen,
denouncers, and exterminating landlords, as opportunity occurred. In
those days the Irish tenant-farmers were the veriest slaves to their
landlords. Dare one of them vote at an election contrary to the wishes
of his lordship's bum-bailiffs, and his tenure of house and lands was
short indeed thereafter. On the other hand, the National cause had
an equally imperative claim on him, and between the both his lot
was far from being a happy one. It was surprising how in those days

172 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

people managed to get along ; and yet there were fought then fights
for faith and fatherland, compared to which the fights of to-day are but
toy-playing. At length the oppressed Papists took heart of grace, and
a leader being found in the person of Daniel O'Connell, they rallied to
a man around him, and in 1829 the Catholic Eelief Bill gave them a
hold in their country which they had not possessed from the middle of
the sixteenth century. Is it necessary to say more ? The history of
Ireland's advancement since then is well known to every school-boy. In
the varying phases of success and defeat, prosperity and distress, Longford
has, I am glad to say, borne an honourable part. There are inside its
borders men of as sterling qualities of head and heart for the welfare
of their country as in any county in Ireland, whilst the vast mass of its
60,000 people are in active sympathy and support of the cause which
has for its watchword at home and abroad,

God Save Ieeland.

HISTOET OF THE COUNXT LONGFORD. l73

APPENDIX-PART I.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

The County of Longford is • within the episcopal jurisdiction of the dio-
cese of Ardagh, which also extends into parts of the Counties of "West-
meath, Eoscommon, Leitrim, and Sligo. The ancient name of this dio-
cese was Conmaicne Ardagha Hy Bruin, a title meaning that the
diocese was in the territory of Conmac, whose name has been referred
to in the preceding pages. The diocese was founded by St. Patrick, in
454. St. Patrick appointed St. Mel, his nephew, who died in 488, as
first bishop. It is told traditionally that St. Mel was a very humble
man who chose, by his humility and patience, to convert the people of
the diocese of which he was first pastor to the true Gospel; and his
stafE, which he carried about with him in his missions, is preserved
among the many old articles of antiquity belonging to the county. St.
Mel worked as a labourer in the fields during the day, and prayed, like
his uncle, St. Patrick, during the night ; and at his death he was
interred in his own church, in the town of Ardagh. The remains of
this church prove it to be, if of any height, a most formidable erection.
It is enclosed in the churchyard of Ardagh, immediately behind the
Protestant Church, and the ruins are somewhat considerable, measuring
fully thirty feet long by twenty feet broad. It is composed of several
immensely large blocks of rock, each fitting one on top of the other, as
though chiselled by the stonecutter, although at this time stonecutters
were not procurable. Some of these blocks of stones are fully ten feet
long, and could not weigh less than some tons. One stone, which hangs
on a natural pivot over the enti'ance, is likely from its apparently dan-
gerous position, and the rocking which ensues on the slightest touch, to
cause the visitor some uneasiness as to how to enter the building ; and

174 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

yet old men will tell him that that very stone has hung in that very
position during their own and their sires' recollections, and has never
stirred either in storm or sunshine. The entrance-door to this most
venerable rum is low, and the few windows extant are of the lancet
description common to such buildings in old times, when the art of
glazing was unknown ; and yet, this is the old Cathedral of Ardagh,
and underneath are interred the remains of the first bishop of its
diocese, and several saints of Holy Church.

History does not contain any reference to the monastery erected in
Ardagh, except that, in 488, St. Melchuo, a friar of the monastery of
Lerha, and a brother to St. Mel, became abbot and bishop of the diocese.

We find in Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum " it is said : — " St. Patrick
left Mel in Ardachadh to the east, and his sister in Druimcheo, to the
west of the mountain called Brigh Leith (now Slieve G-olry), which lies
between both places." She was, according to Colgan, St. Brigid, the
present patroness of Ardagh, but is not to be confounded with the cele-
brated patroness of Kildare. It was of her that the false story was told,
which will be found related in another portion of this book.

As regards the erection of the cathedral, a legend (not a very pro-
bable one though) is handed down amongst the peasantry about St. ,
Patrick. It is told that he arrived in Ardagh during the night, and,
being guided by the apostolic spirit, commenced immediately to erect a
building suitable to the worship of God. During this erection it is
believed that he was assisted by preternatural power to fit the immense
blocks of stones before-mentioned into the walls; but, having fallen
short of material wherewith to complete his work, he searched about
until he found some loose stones lying beside a dwelling which he pro-
ceeded to remove. During the course of removal the inhabitant of the
dwelling, who happened to be a very cross old woman, wakened, and

immediately putting out her head, demanded, in the name of the d ,

what was there ? St. Patrick answered that it was a servant of the
Lord Grod, and bade her hold her evil tongue ; then, deeming his work
desecrated, he abandoned it. This legend, however, seems improbable,

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 177

considering that St. Mel was appointed by him as bishop about this
time, and that the cathedral was used for religious purposes for
hundreds of years afterwards.

The abbey, or monastery, over which St. Mel was first placed, was
called an Abbey of Regular Canons, which existed for at least a period of
five hundred years, during which time its abbots were generally Bishops
of Ardagh. The dress of the monks of this order was a long black
cassock, with a white rochet, or surplice, over which was a long black
cloak and hood. Archbishop Usher says that St. Mel was a scholar of
rare eminence, and that he wrote a learned treatise on the virtues and
miracles of the patron of Ireland. Except, however, for the note made
of the accession of St. Melchuo to this see in 488, no further mention is
made of this abbey, or diocese, until 741, when it is recorded that St.
Beochuill, Abbot and Bishop of Ardagh, died in his monastery and was
interred there. It is also probable that St. Melchuo, who was St.
Patrick's old master, was interred here, so that in the venerable ruins
above described no less than three saints rest. It is right, therefore,
that Ardagh would receive due credit for its remarkable sanctity in
these early ages of Christianity, and that it should give name to the
diocese. Yery little further mention is made of the Bishops of Ardagh
until 1157, according to Keating, and 1152, according to Haverty, in
which year was held the celebrated Synod of Kells, ia which the Papal
authority was represented by a legate for Ireland, and in which were
appointed four archbishops for Armagh, Cashel, Tuam and Dublin, and
the limits of every diocese in Ireland fixed. In this most celebrated
council, over which the Bishop of Kilmore and Cardinal John Papiron
presided as Pope's legates, the diocese of Ardagh was represented by
Macraith O'Morain, bishop; and the diocese of which he was chief
pastor was then placed, and has since remained, under the archiepisco-
pal jiirisdiction of Armagh. In 1265 Brendan Magodaig, Bishop of
Ardagh, was interred in the Abbey of Deirg, at the churchyard now
called Abbey Dearg ; and no further mention is made of Ardagh until
1492, when William O'Farrell was made bishop, and held, at the same

178 HISTOET OF THB COTJNTY LONGFOED.

time, the important position of Chieftain of Annaly, and, in the dis-
charge of his functions as the latter crossed the Shannon in the year
1504, for the purpose of assisting The Greraldine to wage war on the
Burkes of Olanrickard. Had this warlike prelate lived in the days of
the Irish Confederacy, he would, in all probability, have been a second
Heber Mahon, or as the Bishop of Artois, in France, who, when taken
prisoner in battle, appealed to the Pope to save him, and concerning
whom, on hearing of his appeal. King Richard I. sent his coat of mail
to the Pope, with the words : " See whether this be thy son's coat or
not." I cannot explain how this clerical chieftain of Annaly was found
in the English camp, except that, as Mac William Burke, surnamed
the Red Earl, was a man of violent and ferocious temper, and
clearly endeavoured to set himself up for King of Ireland, whereas he
himself was of Anglo-Saxon extraction, OTarrell deemed it his duty to
assist in his subjugation ; or, on the other hand, as his territory did not
lie far from Burke's, the latter may have, as frequently happened in
those days, devastated Annaly, and hence its chieftain wanted to
return the compliment. The following passage from Haverty's
History of Ireland may give the most satisfactory explanation to the
reader : —

" A.D. 1504. — For sometime an inveterate warfare had been carried
on between MacWilliam Burke of Clanrickard, called Ulick III., and
Melaghlin O'Kelly, the Irish Chief of Hy-Many. Burke was the
aggressor and the more powerful, and this year he captured and
demolished three of O'Kelly's castles in Gralway, so that the Irish Chief,
on the brink of ruin, had recourse to the lord lieutenant. Earl Kildare,
for assistance. The latter mustered a strong army and crossed the
Shannon. He was joined by Hugh Roe O'Donnelland his son, O'Connor
Roe, MacDermott of Moylurg, Magennis, MacMahon and O'Hanlon;
O'Rielly; the Bishop of Ardagh (who was then the Chief of the
O'Farrells of Annaly) ; O'Connor Faley, the O'Kellys, and by all the
forces of the north, except the O'Neills of Leath Cinna. In this battle
Burke was defeated, with a loss of 2,000 men, and O'Kelly was restored

HrSTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

179

to Ms possessions. The battle was fought at Knocktow, in Gal way, on
August 19th, 1504."

I append as fully as I can a list of the Bishops of Ardagh, from
which it appears that at least half-a-dozen O'Farrells ruled the See of
St. Mel almost in succession. Of these men, two, as has been said,
were both Chieftains of Annaly and Bishops of Ardagh, and such of
them as were not of blue blood were monks of some Order.

Complete List of the Bishops of Aedagh, from the earliest
Date to the present Day.

Name

Consecrated

Died

St. Mel (St. Patrick's Sister's Son) ... —

457

St. Melchuo (St. Patrick's old Pagan Master) —

488

St.Beochuill ... ... ... —

741

Cerli

1048

Macraidh O'Morainn

1150

1161

Christian O'Bataoh

1172

1179

O'Firlenan

1187

O'Heslenan

—

1189

Adam 'Murray ...

—

1217

Robert ...

1217

1224

Simon M'G-rath . . .

1224

1230

Joseph Magodaig

1230

1231

Jocelyn O'Fairmaig

... ^ ... 1233

1237

Brendan Magodaig

1238

1251

Miles Dunstable

1256

1288

Mathew O'Heathey

1290

1322

Eobert, a Monk . . .

1322

Transferred to Clonfert.

JohnMagoie ... ... ... 1324

1343

Owen O'Farrell ... ... ... 1347

1367

William M'Casey

1367

1373

ISO

HISTORY OF THE COUNTT LONaFORD.

Name

Charles O'Farrell

John O'Freyne ...

Gilbert O'Brady...

Adam Lyons

Oornelins O'Farrell

Eichard O'Farrell, a Cistercian Monk

MacShamridan (modernized Sheridan)

Cormac, a Monk...

John, a Monk

William O'Farrell, Chieftain of Annaly

Thomas O'Comgall

Roderick O'Malone

Eichard O'Farrell

Patrick M'Mahon

Eichard Brady (transferred to Kilmore)

Bdmond Maguire (transferred to Armagh)

Bdmond M'Grauran (transferred to Armagh) 1688
Interregnum of sixty years, during which no bishop's
recorded.

Patrick Plunkett ... ... ... 1647

Exiled the same year ; after seven years' exile was made
Meath.

Oliver Casey ... ... ... 1647

Transferred to Dromore, 1670.

Consecrated

Died

1373

1378

1378

1394

139.6

1400

1400

1416

1418

1424

1424

1443

1445

1458

1460

1470

1470

1479

1479

1516

1517

1518

1518

1540

1542

1553

1553

1570

1573

1580

) 1580 •

1588

'h) 1688

h no bishc

p's name is

Bishop of

Martyrdom of Longford Clergy.
It was at this time that the full fury of religious persecution burst on
Longford, resulting in the capturing and murdering of every regular
clergyman the bigoted and fanatical Puritans could lay hold of. We
shall therefore interrupt our episcopal list, in order to insert a particu-
lar account of the cruel death of two Dominican clergy seized in the
Dominican Convent at Longford : —

HISTOKT OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 181

' The Rev. Fathers Laurence O'Farrell and Bernard O'Farrell, O.P.,
appear to have been brothers, and were of the ancient family of
O'Farrell. Of Father Laurence, Dominick de Rosario remarks, that
he was educated at Lisbon, and was subsequently Prior of their college
there. De Burgo says that Father Bernard was Predicator Greneralis
of the Order. De Burgo and Fontana give the following account of
their martyrdom : —

" They were seized at early morn, whilst praying in the church of
their native convent, Longford, which had been abandoned by the
brethren on account of the violence of the persecution. Father Bernard
was at once overwhelmed by the persecutors with more than four-and-
twenty deadly wounds, whereof he expired ; yet lingered long enough
to receive the last Sacraments from another of our Fathers before he
died ; and this he himself had foretold. Brother Laurence they
dragged, wounded, before the governor, and on discovering that for the
faith, and in obedience to the authority of the Nuncio, he had joined
the Catholic army, he was condemned to death. He was to have been
executed on the following day, and joyfully awaited his fate, but by the
intercession of some friends it was deferred for three days. This was
most grievous to Laurence, who blamed his intercessors, and spent the
whole three days in prayers and tears, beseeching Grod not to suffer him
to lose the palm of martyrdom. At length he obtained his desire, and
from the top of the ladder he addressed an eloquent exhortation to the
Catholics ; then placing the rosary round his neck, and holding a cruci-
fix in his right hand, and bidding the people farewell, he blessed them,
and meekly folding his hands imder the scapular, submitted himself to
the executioner. When the executioner, after placing the cord round
his throat, pushed him off the ladder, whilst hanging, he drew both
his hands from imder his scapular, and raised the cross on high in both
as the emblem of his triumph. The heretical governor was so much
struck, that he allowed his body to be given to the Catholics and
solemnly interred by them, and gave a safe conduct for the clergy to
attend, fearing lest otherwise there might be tumults."

182 HISTOBT OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

Another Father Laurence O'Farrell, O.P., is mentioned who also was
an alumnus of the Convent of Longford, and studied at Prague, in
Bohemia, but read his philosophy in Rome, with the Irish Dominicans,
in the Convent of SS. Sixtus and Clement, and theology with the English
Dominicans, in the House of SS. John and Paul. He thence proceeded
to England, and, whilst discharging the duties of an apostolic missionary,
was seized and confined in a most strict prison in London, where he
suffered much for more than a year. At length, by the favour of Grod, he
was set free, and proceeded to Belgium, where he patiently bore a long
illness. He returned to England, and was again imprisoned, but was sent
as a German into Portugal with the Archduke Charles, afterwards
Emperor of the Germans. From thence he took an opportunity of going
to Spain, where he piously died, serving as a chaplain to Berwick's regi-
ment, in 1708. A beautiful account of his death is given in the
Einuccini MSS.

The Rev. Anthony O'Farrell, O.S.F., was taken, whilst preaching,
by the Oromwellians, at Tulsk, in Roscommon, in the castle of Sir
Ulysses de Burgo, and immediately hung, a.d. 1652. — Bruodin.

The Rev. Christopher O'Farrell died in prison, about 1664, for the
defence of the authority of the Pope. Whilst in prison he was obliged
to lie on the bare earth, the luxury of a bed being denied him.

From 1670 to 1710 an interregnum of forty years occurred, during
which there was no bishop, owing to the severity of the penal laws and
the general confusion in the affairs of the kingdom. It is recorded
that Father Cornelius Gaffney, who had represented the diocese of
Ardagh in the Catholic Confederation Council, ruled the diocese for some
years ; but the date of his death is not given.

Name Consecrated Died

Ambrose O'Connor ... ... l7lO 1738

Anthony Blake ...

Dr. O'Mulligan ...

Dr. Brady

John Cruise

1738

1758

1758

1770

1770

1787

1788

1807

HTSTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED. l83

Name

Consecrated

Died

Jolrn M'G-auran ...

1815

1829

William O'Higgins

1829

1853

John Kilduff

1853

1867

Neal M'Cabe ...

1868

1870

G-eorge Oonroy ...

1871

1878

Bartholomew Woodlock ...

1879, still

living:

Between the years 741 and 1048, no name of any bishop can be
found ; but whether this arises from the loss of manuscripts bearing on
the subject, or the neglect of contemporary chroniclers to record them,
is a mere conjecture. About this time, however, occurred the Danish
invasion of Ireland, which lasted for a period almost corresponding to
the interregnum referred to ; and it may be that during the confusion
consequent on the many dire calamities which then befell the Irish
people, their churches were overthrown and their bishops killed or
exiled ; or worse still, perhaps they were not appointed at all. History
tells that those were days of great disturbance and disorder ; and that
no king, prince, or chieftain was sure of his life or property for a longer
period than his sword was able to defend it. If such a state of things
existed among the warhke elements of the nation, it is not xmreasonable
to expect that worse would exist in the ecclesiastical world, where peace
was men's vocation.

Father Cornelius Graffney was Yicar-General of the diocese during
a great part of the time of the Cromwellian and Kestoration persecu-
tions, and is said to have been an eloquent preacher and a learned theo-
logian. He was, on account of these great gifts, chosen at an early age
to represent the diocese of Ardagh at the Confederation of Catholics,
held in Kilkenny from 1640 to 1649, and in this capacity was elected
a member of the Council of the Confederation, which was the virtual
Parliament of Ireland for a period of ten years. It was during the
continuance of this glorious assembly that Owen Eoe O'Neill won the
battle of Benburb, much to the mortification of Monroe — the boasted
Scottish general. But it is sad — very sad, indeed — to speak of those

184 HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

days, for it recalls too vividly to the mind of a reader of history the
inglorious termination of the Confederation and the loss of the Irish
cause ; whilst soon after came Cromwell and the horrors of his era,
and Ireland was left a desert waste — murder, massacre, and transplan-
tation having left the country, from the Shannon to the Boyne, a " field
of human bones," as Lord Deputy Sidney, an English soldier, once
phrased it.

With the era of the Volunteers came to the See of Ardagh a vene-
rated and holy bishop, named Dr. Cruise, who ruled the diocese for a
period of 19 years — during which it taxed a Roman Catholic bishop's
endurance to the utmost to hold his own against the host of parsons
and tithe-proctors who covered the country. Dr. Cruise was a native of the
town of Longford, and his relatives had a shop in Bridge-street. The last
of them died about thirty years ago. His remains were interred in Bally-
mahon. He was succeeded by a Dr. M'Gauran, or M'G-overn, who is
remembered by inhabitants of the neighbourhood to have been a fine
big man, with a noble and majestic cast of countenance, and a gait
which would do credit to a king. He died shortly after the Emanci-
pation Act. To him succeeded a bishop whose life belongs rather to
the political than the ecclesiastical histol-y of Longford. This was
William O'Higgins. This Bishop of Ardagh was descended in the
paternal line from the Higginses of Mayo, whence his father migrated
to Longford at an early age. He was related to a late bishop of
Achonry, the learned Dr. M'Mcholas, and his mother, Elizabeth Tyrrell,
was a near relative of the ancient family of O'Connell, of Cranary, in
the County of Longford. His maternal family were remarkable for
talent, particularly in poetry ; and the songs of Peter Roe O'Connell
may still be heard sung in the pathetic Gaelic by the milkmaid, as she
passes the ruins of the old house at Cranary. The poet, George Nugent
Reynolds, was a grandson of his, and worthily maintained the glories
of the family. Peter and Harry O'Connell, also grandsons to Peter
Roe, were killed at Granard in 1798, as they were leading on the insur-
gents ; and local traditions teem with anecdotes of their bravery.

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HISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONQFOED. 187

William O'Higgins was born in 1794, and having been taught Irish
and English by his mother, he was placed under the tuition of an
itinerant classical teacher, concerning whose pedantic eloquence and
high-flown Latin the bishop used often to tell funny anecdotes, for, as was
then the custom, the tutor usually wore a red bag wig, which was never
in its own place, and was always causing the wearer a world of trouble.
When but nineteen years of age, he left Longford and adjourned to
Paris, to pursue his classical studies in a Parisian seminary, and on the
peace of 1815, he, in company with several other students, waited on
the Duke of Wellington, and obtained from him the re-opening of the
Irish College in Paris, as well as the restoration to it of many of its
ancient bourses ; and he entered its walls, not as a student, but as a
professor.

Under date 1815, the following entries appear in an old diary kept
by Dr. O'Higgins at Paris : —

" 1815, March 20th. — Napoleon sailed from the island of Elba and
landed in Prance on the same day. Then, marching on without any
resistance, arrived iu Paris on 20th, about half -past nine o'clock at
night, where he was received by the people, particularly the soldiers,
with loud acclamations.

" March 22nd.— Have gotten a plain view of him and his minister,
Bertrand, from a window of the palace opposite the Luxembourg
gardens.

" March 29th.— Grot a full and plain view of Napoleon from the
above-mentioned place, where he was waited on by a great multitude,
all crying, ' Vive 'VEmpereur.'

" June 7th. — On the same day got a full view of Napoleon, his two
brothers, Joseph and Lucian, all three dressed in their imperial robes ;
his uncle. Cardinal Pesch, and Cardinal Cambaceres, brother to the
aforesaid Cardinal, and many more nobles — all of whom rode in coaches,
drawn by six bay horses, from the royal palace to the Legislative
Court, and that wherein the Emperor road was drawn by eight milk-
white horses. . His coach was most magnificent to be beheld, on the top

188 HIBTOEY OF THE OOITNTT LONCTORD.

of which was a crown of gold about five feet round, on the top of which
crown was an eagle of middle size made of solid gold. The body was
deeply gilded. The body (of the coach) was deeply gilded, and all other
parts of it, together with the harness, was proportionately grand. The
number of the coaches consisted of twenty, none of which was much
inferior to that of the Emperor in grandeur.

"June 16th. — Commenced the famous battle of Mount St. Jean,
where the Enghsh and Prussians, with united forces, fought against
Napoleon.

" June 19th. — On the 19th it terminated in favour of the English,
who may be justly said to have gained the field as much by the bravery
of the soldiers as the remarkable generalship of their noble com-
mander, Wellington.

" July 8th. — I have seen the Prussians entering Paris. Have gotten
a full view as they entered, and also along the quays and other parts
of the city where they were stationed. Have also seen some of the
English, viz.: — O'Neill, from Oarrick-on-Shannon, in Ireland, and
O'Parrell, from Dublin, who fought at Mount St. Jean and gave me the
above account of it. On the same day, about five o'clock, I have seen
His Majesty Louis XVIII. entering Paris, attended by several
thousands of French gentlemen, who volunteered to protect him during
his late absence from Paris. He was eagerly received by the people,
who repeatedly, with all their might, cried ' Vive le roi.'

" 20th. — Have seen in the 5th division of the English camp Malachi
M'Garry, from Drumlish, who fought in the battle of Mount St. Jean,
and gave me a particular account of it ; also saw Peter Creegan, of
Drumlish ; Owen O'Keilly, of Monaduff; and O'Reilly, of the Rocks of
Bohey, who were in the same camp after standing the battle.

" December 14th. — Mr. M'Oann, of Longford, received a letter from
his brother, informing him of the death of Rev. Michael O'Farrell, who
was (as is supposed) either killed by his own horse at Rooskey, or died
of an apoplectic fit."

The above extracts will show that his lordship saw some of the

fllSTOBY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 189

principal events with his own eyes whicli took place in fickle Paris
during the stormy days of 1815. The last extract is given simply to
record an event which has previously been unknown. These extracts
show the grasp of mind possessed by his lordship, and his extraordinary
descriptive powers of such things ; for these limited descriptions of so
important events are more eloquent, in the opinion of the writer, than
volumes from a critic.

"William O'Higgins was, by a special licence, ordained priest on
September 20th, 1817, after a remarkably brilliant student's career, in
which he several times distinguished himself in his examinations before
the highest dignitaries of the French Church ; and, in the course of
receiving his orders, he went through the ceremonies in company
with several hundred ecclesiastics, many of whom afterwards became
distinguished men. The Theses he sustained, also, during the course
of his public examinations were remarkable for their vigour,
terseness and clearness, for which at the time he was pubhcly con-
gratulated.

After his ordination, he wrote a letter to the then Bishop of Ardagh,
Right Rev. Dr. M'Govern, asking his permission to go out to Aus-
tralia as vicar-general to its new bishop ; but this request was, for good
reasons of its own, refused by Dr. M'Grovern. After spending eight
, years in constant hard work at Paris, his health began to decline. He
set out for Rome, passing through Vienna, where he stayed a short
time en route ; and having reached Rome, where his health returned to
him, he continued his studies there for a period of five years, spent
alternately as a student to some and a teacher to others, and subse-
quently he could boast of having taught no less than twenty-five who
became afterwards bishops. Having taken out his degree of D.D. in
1825, after a brilliant examination which lasted eight days, he returned
to Ireland early in 1826, and succeeded in winning the important post
of Professor of Dogmatic Theology in Maynooth College ; and scarcely
had he been a month in the office, when he appeared before the King's
Commissioners to give evidence on the working of the Maynooth College

190 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

system. His replies to all the questions then put to him, were the most
accurate and profound uttered in modern days.

On November 30th, 1829, he was consecrated Bishop of Ardagh,
and soon after his accession to the episcopate he commenced the erec-
tion of that noble cathedral which was completed by his successors, and
which will for ever claim, as it is justly entitled to claim, to be the
grandest and most stupendous erection of any similar building in Ire-
land. In the councils of the Irish Hierarchy, Dr. O'Higgins held an
important place ; and such was the confidence that his brother prelates
had in his diplomacy and learning, that whenever an Irish question was
to be represented at a foreign court, he was always selected as their
envoy. In this capacity he more than once travelled to Brussels and to
Rome on the question of Irish education.

As an Irish patriot. Dr. O'Higgins stood far in advance of the other
prelates of his day. He was an ardent Repealer from the start of that
great agitation, which reached its climax in 1843, and was most inti-
mate with the great Liberator, Daniel O'Connell.

Sir Charles Gavan Duffy says, in one of the notes to his " Young
Ireland," that the Bishop of Ardagh would have been a dashing
soldier had fortune so circumstanced him, and contrasts him with the
great Irish prelate who, in 1641, upheld the drooping hearts of the
Confederated Catholics by his voice, his pen, and his arm — Heber
MacMahon.

A monster demonstration in support of the popular demand for a
Repeal of the Union was held at MuUingar on the 14th of May, 1848,
which was one of the greatest gatherings addressed by O'Connell. At
this meeting two bishops addressed the people — Dr. Cantwell, of Meath,
and Dr. O'Higgins, of Ardagh. The address of the Bishop of Ardagh
was as fiercely patriotic m tone as the sword speech of Meagher.

A French writer, in the idiom of his language, says : " Monsieur
O'Connell had difficulty to restrain his enthusiasm whilst the glowing
words of the prelate electrified his audience." The following is a rude
translation of Bishop O'Higgins' words on that great occasion: — "Gentle-

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGPOED. 191

men," said he, " the merits of the noble body of dignitaries of which I
have the honour of being the most humble and most unworthy repre-
sentative, have been already so well explained by the Liberator of Ire-
land, and by many other speakers, that I find myself released from
making reference to it, I will strive to tell you the way in which the
hierarchy regards this question of Repeal of the Union. I can affirm
in the most positive manner that every Roman Catholic bishop in Ire-
land, without exception, is a zealous advocate of this Repeal, I know
well enough that you have room to believe already that your bishops
are with you. "Well, I come to announce it formally to you. All the
Roman Catholic bishops have pronoimced in favour of your agitation ;
and from one end of Ireland to another we are all advocates of Repeal.

" I should, perhaps, guard myself in these observations ; but I do
not wish to sit down without explaining the means of which the bishops
could dispose, and which they would certainly use, if the ministry which
presides over the destinies of our country would dare to take against us
measures of harshness. As for me, I defy all the ministers of England
to stop the agitation, in my diocese.

" My friends, if they want to filch from us the light of day, if they
want to hinder us from meeting in an open field, we will retire to our
churches and our chapels, and there we will preach no other doctrine
than that of Repeal. We will thus make Repealers in spite of England.
If they besiege our churches, if they sow spies amongst our brethren,
we will prepare the people for the result ; and if they make us ascend
the scaffold in dying for the cause of our country, we will bequeath our
wrongs to our successors. Let the ministry try it if they dare. But,
Irishmen, these fellows are two cautious ; they are too well determined
to continue their insidious schemes to furnish to us an occasion of dying
for our country. They will not do it ; and hence I have reason to say
that the bishops and the people of Ireland hold in their hands, despite
all the obstinacy of English ministers, the necessary power to counter-
act their designs, and to make triumphant Repeal of the Union in spite
of their resistance. Gentlemen, I am only an humble man — I am

192 SiSTOlIT OP THE COUNTY LONGFOEl)

nothing. Not only do I belong to the people, but more — I am proud to
proclaim it — I belong to the most persecuted class of the people. I
say it with pride, I owe nothing to any aristocrat on earth, except pro-
found contempt, which I profess for every vicious aristocrat who forgets
his mission and abuses his power.

" Grentlemen, several members of the episcopal body have not been
able to be present here. Some have been detained by infirmities,
others by indispensable duties — some of them are stretched on their
bed of sickness ; but I believe I can speak officially, and say without
exaggeration, that not only are the bishops advocates of Eepeal, but
more, that they ardently join in all the sentiments I have expressed. I
thank you, in their name and my own, for the flattering words spoken
in praise of the episcopate, and in their name, also, I assure you that
you can count on us as long as Ireland has a grievance."

For this splendidly patriotic speech at MuUingar, the English Press
and the Anti-Irish Irish Press rabidly attacked him, and continued for
months to shriek to the Grovernment for his arrest or prosecution ; but
he had too fiercely thrown down the gauntlet for the British ministers
to take it up, and so they contented themselves with setting one of the
meanest and most pitiful members of the " vicious aristocracy " to
revile his lordship before the British Senate on his obscurity; but
O'Connell flew to the bishop's defence, and so mercilessly lashed the
mean creature, that he slunk for ever from public gaze. The immortal
Liberator on that occasion also delivered an address on the merits of
the Bishop of Ardagh, which as a piece of oratory ranks first amongst
his performances.

Shortly afterwards the great Eepeal Meeting of Longford was held
in the main street of the town, when Dr. O'Higgins, addressing the
people on the subject of his recent deliverance at MulHngar, said he
would ever remain true to the opinions he there expressed. He said : —

" A member of the House of Lords has spoken of my obscurity ; but
I will teach him that in this obscurity I have enough of light to perceive
the darkness in which are plunged those who attack me. Yes, I repeat

HISTOEY OP THE COrNTT LONGFORD, 193

what I said at MuUingar — whenever I shall see the possibility of
rescuing one Irishman from his misfortunes, I shall ever be found in
the breach. This is why I demand Repeal of the Union. "

On many similar occasions Dr. O'Higgins announced his firm deter-
mination on the question of Repeal, and there is every right to believe
that had O'Connell recourse to arms to enforce his just demand, the
Bishop of Ardagh would not be the least among his lieutenants ; but
everyone knows how the Repeal Agitation failed, and how the large-
hearted leader died of a broken heart at Glenoa, on his way to Rome.
Dr. O'Higgins was then a prey to those fits of illness which from this
date incessantly attacked him until his death. The death of O'Connell
completely disarmed him of all his hopes for Erin's freedom, and it
was a common subject of discussion that after '48 the Bishop of Ardagh
never appeared on a political platform. He devoted the remainder of
his life to the completion of his cathedral, and to the raising of what
might be called a national testimonial to erect a fitting temple to God
iu the centre of Ireland; and at length, on the 3rd of January, 1853,
he passed peacefully away, leaving behind him the memory of a saintly
bishop, a patriotic Irishman, and an honest man — " the noblest work of
Grod." He was then in the sixty-third year of his age and the twenty-
fourth of his episcopate, and was interred in the chapel of Ballymahon,
whence, on the completion of the Cathedral of Longford, he was
removed for burial in the vaults (as it was said) by his own last wish,
in 1868.

The Right Rev. John Kilduff succeeded. He had been a Vincentian
friar, and was selected, it was believed, through the influence of the
chapter of his Order in Rome. Early in the year 1848 he was conse-
crated coadjutor to Right Rev. Dr. O'Higgins, whom he succeeded.
Dr. Kilduff was the son of humble parents, his father being
steward to Lord Kilmaine at Athlon e. He brought to the diocese
a mind trained to discipline and regularity which speedily effected
a change for the better in several departments of Church affairs
in Ardagh. Although he was as firm and strong-minded a man as ever

194 HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

lived, there was none so simple or so kindly disposed. His mother
resided with him, and to her word he, her spiritual lord, was much
more obedient and humble than his youngest curate. His charity to
the poor will never be forgotten in Longford. He never could have
sixpence without giving it to the first good beggar that beset him. To
enumerate his many good qualities, or to convey an idea of the good he
did in Longford, I cannot. The best proof of his worth was evidenced
when a sudden fever took him too soon away. Then ^the people, one
and all, rich and poor, followed his remains to the grave in tears, just
the same as if their own fathers had been taken from them ; and to
this day the people of Longford will talk as lovingly and tenderly of
his memory as if it had been but yesterday, and not in 1867, he departed.
Very little can be said of his successor. Dr. M'Cabe. He, too, was a
member of the Order of Vincentians, but his term lasted so short, that
his spiritual children preserve but a faint recollection of him. He
attended the celebrated Ecumenical Council held at the Vatican in
1869-70, and died on his way home, at Marseilles, in France, where his
remains are interred.

Right Eev. Greorge Conroy succeeded. He was a celebrated man of
letters and theologian, and, for his ability as a diplomatist, was sent out
as papal legate, to settle a dispute between two archbishops in Canada
in 1877. The mission was a complete success; but its envoy died at
Newfoundland on his return journey, August 4th, 1878. His remains
were brought home, and are interred in the Nuns' Cemetery in Longford.

Right Rev. Bartholomew Woodlock, D.D., Rector of the Catholic
University in succession to the late Cardinal Newman, succeeded, being
consecrated at Rome by the Pope, on Whit-Sunday, 1879. Dr. "Wood-
lock is not the first bishop of his name, there having been a Dr.
Wodeloke, Bishop of "Winchester, during the Crusades. The present
Bishop of Ardagh is now advanced in years, yet he leads a most mortified
and abstemious life. For a long time after his advent to the diocese he
was unknown to most of his flock, so retiring was his disposition ; and
even now, after ten years, he is best known to them by the extreme

-^"^■^•r"'"^'

Main Hall, Cloisters and Belfry of the Cistercian Abbey at Abdeyshrule.

HISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 1S7

simpMcity of his life and manners, as ■well as by his kindliness of nature
and humility of person. Dr. Woodlock is of an old and aristocratic
family of English descent, who have long been settled in Ireland, and
some of whose members have recently occupied high positions here.

Monastic Institutions op the County.
We will next give a brief glance at the chief monastic institutions
which flourished in Longford when Catholicity was the religion of
Europe. The principal monastic ruins now to be found are situated
in the folio wing places : — Lerha ( Abbey lara), Inchmore (Lough Gowna),
Ardagh, Abbeydearg, Abbeyshrule, All Saints' Island (Lough Eee),
Inchboffin (Lough Eee), and Inisclothraun (Lough Eee). Photographic
plates showing the ruins of these ancient religious structures, existing
at the present day, are given in various parts of this book. I hope the
reader will duly appreciate the effort I have made to give him a perfect
picture of these old haunts of sanctity, "We will commence with the
buildings in the north of Longford.

The Abbey of Lerha.
There are few places in the County of Longford possess such interest
for the student of ecclesiastical history as the neighbourhood of
Grranard, in which was erected the great Abbey of Lerha, which has
now given its name to the parish of Abbeylara. It is told by the ancient
annalists that one of the first places in Leinster which St. Patrick visited
after visiting Tara, was the neighbourhood of Granard, which at that
time was one of the chief seats of the pagan worship which then pre-
vailed in Ireland ; for here was said to be the " Hill of the Sun," or, in
other words, the " Hill " from which worship was offered to the sun,
moon, and stars. We may suppose then that St. Patrick, having heard
of the fame of this place, made his way thither to teach our rude and
unlettered forefathers the history of the birth and death, for our
redemption, of our Lord Jesus Christ. It certainly must have been

Q

198 HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOBD.

worth seeing to behold St, Patrick teaching these rude sons of the
forest and of the chase the laws laid down by the Son of God for the
redemption of mankind ; for at this time more than half of Ireland was
covered with a dense forest, in which wild boars and even wolves
abounded. St. Patrick preached about the year 440, and his preaching
produced such abundant fruit, that in 460 he founded the Monastery of
Lerha, which he dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and appointed
St. Guasacht, the son of St. Melchuo, his own old master, to be its first
abbot. No further mention of the abbey occurs until 765, when it
appears that Fiachra, an abbot of the monastery, died. This is the
only mention made of St. Patrick's foundation ; but a large number of
the chieftains of Annaly were buried in it.

In 1205, Richard Tuite founded an abbey in Lerha, for monks of
the Cistercian Order in honour of the Blessed Virgin, He brought
several monks from Dublin and placed them in it, so that the abbey
might not lack for priests imtil it would become a stable erection. In
the year 1231 Nigell was abbot here, and his name is found as a sub-
scribing witness to a grant made by Felix Roache, Archbishop of Tuam,
to the Abbey of St. Mary, in Dublin, In 1315 Edward Bruce besieged,
captured and burned the town of Granard, after which he sacrilegiously
entered and plundered Lerha Monastery. This dreadful act was com-
mitted on St. Andrew's Day — the day of all others on which one would
expect a Scotchman not to do any bad act, fearing the anger of the
saint, who is patron of Scotland, For the whole winter of the same
year, Edward Bruce and his army remained in winter quarters in the
ruins of the town which they had destroyed ; and the monks, who had
fled to Athlone on the approach of his army, returned in the spring of
1314, when he had taken his departure. In 1320 one "William Payne
was made abbot, through the influence of the Tnites, and soon after, a
vacancy having occurred in St, Mary's Abbey, in Dublin, his patron
had him removed to preside there as lord abbot. In the year 1340
it is mentioned that the abbot of this monastery was also one of the
yisitors to Dunbrody Abbey, in the County of Wexford, In 1398 the

HISTORY OF THE COUNTT LONGFOKD. 199

abbot, an Englisliman named Peter, was made Bishop of Clonmacnoise,
and in 1447 John O'Mayley, abbot, was made a canon of the same see.
In 1541 Richard O'Farrell, who was also Chieftain of Annaly, and had
been abbot of this monastery for some time, was appointed Bishop of
Ardagh, and almost immediately after the monastery was suppressed,
when the bishop was seized of land and houses of the yearly value of
£6, Irish money.

Of this seizure, "Ware says : —

" On the surrender of the abbey, the said Eichard was seized of
two carucates of land, with their appurtenances, in Olonemore, of the
yearly value, besides reprises, of 13s. 4d. ; four carucates in Lerha, of
the yearly value, besides reprises, of 26s. 8d. ; two carucates in Clone-
cryawe, of the yearly value, besides reprises, of 1 3s. 4d. ; two carucates
in Tonnaghmore, of the yearly value, besides reprises, of 13s 4d. ; four
earucates in Monktown, of the yearly value, besides reprises, of 263 8d.;
and the tithes of corn in the rectory of Monktown, of the yearly value,
besides reprises, of 40s. ; also of a moiety of the tithes of the rectory
of G-ranard, of the yearly value, besides reprises, of 26s 8d. ; a moiety
of the tithes of the rectory of Drumlomman, of the yearly value, besides
reprises, of 13s 4d. ; and the moiety of the tithes of the rectory of
Ballymachivy, of the yearly value, besides reprises, of 1 Os. ; the
rectories of Athlone, Levanaghan, Clonmacnoise, Tessauran, Bally-
boughlo and Reynagh (i.e., the whole diocese of Clonmacnoise, were all
appropriated to this abbey)."

The present relics of Richard Tuite's foundation consist of a large
square tower, in the middle of which is an arched door leading into what
was, in all probability, a portion of the dormitory. At the end of this
apartment there is a round circular chamber, with a narrow window in
it, which I presume to have been one of the cells of the structure. The
whole of the tower is covered with ivy, so that it is impossible to clearly
note the style of its architecture. From the proximity of the Protes-
tant Church, it was impossible to take a view of it which would show
the interior; but I have no hesitation in saying that the place is well

2t50 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

■worthy of a visit. Here lie the remains of many chieftains of Annaly,
as well as the gallant but unfortunate Richard Tuite, its founder, who
was killed by the fall of a tower at Athlone in 1211.

Inchnore (Golumbkille).

We will next pay a visit to the ruins of the ancient church and
monastery which was founded on the island of Inchmore, in Lough
Gownagh, about the same time that St. Guasacht was made Prior of St.
Mary's, Lerha, This monastery was at one time of very large pro-
portions, consisting of the church and the main building of the abbey.
The remains of the latter are very few indeed ; yet the visitor can dis-
tinctly trace in them the various apartments of the old structure.

Columbkille contains some very beautiful scenery. The parish is
cut in twain with the splendid Lake of Gownagh, which stretches far
into the County Cavan.

There is certainly no part of the County Longford in which one
meets with such romantic scenery as this very spot ; and it is recorded
that when the great St. Columb determined to undertake the conversion
of the Picts and Scots in the fifth century, he retired to Inchmore, in
Lough Gowna, where he spent a long time in prayer and fasting pre-
paratory to his journey. Here, too, he raised a monastery for
Canons Regular before his departure for lona, and appointed as
its first abbot St. Boodan, who died in 496, or, as some writers
say, 476 a.d. In 748 the abbot, DicoUa M'Menidi, passed to his
reward, being followed, in the year 800, by M'Laisre, who, for
his sanctity and piety, was called the Excellent. In 804 the dreaded
Danes appeared and plundered the abbey, which they burned to the
ground, and for a period of fully fifty years after their visit the place
was deserted. The monastery was, however, restored in 860 by
Toictuch, who became its abbot, and died in 895, according to the
Annals of the Four Masters ; and we do not hear of it again until
April 27th, 1414, when the abbot, Edmund M'Eindbar, died, and was

HISTORY OP THE COtnSTTT LONGFOBD 201

interred in the cemetery attached to the abbey, as were most of his
predecessors. Bishop O'Farrell, from whom the Abbey of Lerha had
previously been taken, was compelled also to surrender this monastery
in 1643. Its remains are yet quite e:^ensive, and are worthy of a
visit from any person who desires to visit the haunts of sanctity in the
early days of Catholicity in Ireland.

Glonbroney.

We are told, in the Ecclesiastical Records of Ireland, that in the
year 460 St. Patrick founded a nunnery at Cluanbronach, over which
he placed the two Emerias, sisters of St. Gusacht, Abbot of Lerha, near
Grranard. It is written of these two sisters that, at the time they
received the veil from St. Patrick, they left the imprint of their feet on
the spot on which they stood.

St. Attracta was an abbess of this monastery about the year 700
A.D., and was succeeded by St. Samthana, who died on December 19th,
738, on which day, according to Butler's " Lives of the Saints," her
feast is celebrated. In the year 760, there died here the Abbess
Cealbill. In 771, the death of another abbess, Sithmath, is recorded;
and in 775, Forblaith, daughter of Connley, Prince of East Tefl&a, or
East Meath, died, and was buried here. On the 2nd of August, 778,
the abbey was destroyed by fire, but this calamity does not appear to
have scattered the community founded by St. Patrick; for, in 780, the
death of the Abbess Elbrigh is recorded. In 791 the Abbess Lear-
veanvan died here, and was followed to the grave in 804 by the Abbess
Finbil. In 810 the Abbess Gormley died in this abbey, and in the year
1107, it is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, from which
the above events are taken, that Cosgrach, a daughter of Unon, died here.

After the year 1107, no further mention is made of the ecclesiastical
affairs of Glonbroney, and it is presumed by many old writers that the
nunnery collapsed in the twelfth century, owing to the disturbed state
q£ the times. After the Eeformation and the enactment of penal
measures against the Catholic faith, a certain Sir James Ware, who was

20S HISTORY OF THE COUNTT LONOTOftD.

one of the Government officials in the days of the Restoration, became
possessed of a tract of land in this parish, which he left to the Protestant
Church in trust for the education of Protestant children ; but some
flaw having been discovered in' the conveyances, the bequest was a
subject of much litigation. In this parish was born, about the middle
of the seventeenth century, the Abb^ Edgeworth, who attended Louis
XY. on the scaffold in Paris in 1789, when the guillotine blade lopped
off the head of the unfortunate king, amid the maddened howls of his
own subjects; and none was there to comfort him but the heroic priest
from Olonbroney.

An inquisition was taken in this parish on January 27th, 1594,
when it was found that there had been also in this parish an hospital
for the indigent, which was supported by four cartrons of lands. It is
not shown where the hospital stood, nor where was the exact site of
the nunnery ; but it is safe to assume that both existed near the present
village of Ballinalee. The hospital mentioned here was a house of
refuge for the weak and indigent, whose wants were attended to by
two or three monks of the Order of St. Augustine, who acted as physi-
cians and chaplains to their inhabitants. According to Burke's "History
of the Church in Ireland," a Gray Friary was erected near St. Johns-
town (now Ballinalee) for this purpose, and dedicated to St. John the
Baptist. He does not give the date, however, nor are there any remains
of either buildings.

Glonee.

At a place called Clonee, on the river Camlin, there is recorded to
have been founded, in 663 a.d., an abbey; but neither the name of the
order which inhabited it, nor the name of any abbot or monk, is given
in connection with it. No remains of such a building are to be found
at all at the present day.

Longford.

Cotemporary with the foundation of the See of Ardagh, an abbey
was founded in Longford by St. Idus, one of the disciples of St. Patrick. •

.HI8T0EY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 203

What year this saint lived, or where exactly stood the abbey, it is
impossible to tell ; but his feast is yet celebrated on July 14th. The
reference to this ancient abbey occurs in the Roman Calendar ; but
whether it continued to exist till the disruption of the religious affairs
of Ireland during the Danish invasion or not, is most uncertain.

The foundation of a Dominican Abbey, in 1400, by Dhomnal
OTarrell, Prince of Annaly, for Friars of the Order of St. Dominick,
was probably the origin of the town of Longford.

In 1429 a great conflagration occurred in this monastery, which
was burned to the ground — the monks being left homeless ; and such
was the distress to which they were reduced that, on March 16th,
Pope Martin Y. issued a Papal Bull, granting a plenary indulgence to
all persons who would aid the monks in rebuilding it. On March 12th,
1433, Pope Eugene IV. granted a Bull towards the same object, which
he confirmed by a second one, issued on the 16th of July, 1438. In
the year 1448, a terrible disease swept away masses of the Irish people,
who were entirely ignorant of its nature, or the remedies fur it.
Amongst the list of those whom it took away, are found the names of
Aedh-buy O'Feargeal, Henry Duffe M'Fedechan, and Diarmud
M'Commay, "three righteous monks of the monastery." These men
were interred, in all probability, in the precincts of the present ruins,
situated in the grounds attached to the Protestant Rector's residence.
This place did not exist longer than the year 1580, because we find it
recorded that this monastery, with certain lands attached, was granted
in the fourth year of the reign of Phihp and Mary — that is, about the
year 1 552 — to one Richard Nugent and his heirs, in capite, for ever.
The disposition of the monastery by these royal personages does not
seem to have pleased their more thorough-going successor; for, on
June 2nd, 1578, Queen Elizabeth granted this friary — after its con-
fiscation the title monastery is not given to it — containing half-an-acre,
with a house, cottage, 28 acres of land, six acres of demesne land, and
commonage to same, to Sir Nicholas Malby, Knight, at a yearly rent
of 16s. per annum. Once again, however, was it destined to a change ;

204 HISTOJBT DF THE COUNTY LQNtiFOBD.

for, in the year 1616, according to Lodge, vol. ii., page 275, on January
29tli, James I., who had worked such wonders in and for (of course the
good of) the country, made it over to Francis Lord Yalentia.

There is a difference of opinion as to the exact site of the old
monastery of " Longford-ui-Fearghail." My own opinion is that it
existed on the banks of the Camlin, and that its remains are those stand-
ing in Templemichael glebe. However, I have seen it stated in an old
work, as a matter of known fact, that the present Protestant church is
built on the site of the old monastery, and that the old building referred
to was the abbey church. Even if this be true, it can in no way detract
from the interest that must attach to this latter structure, for, of course,
it must be a cotemporary erection with the abbey built in 1400.

The Shannon Isles.

Inisclothraun, or Quakers' Island.

Next in importance to Longford (as the capital of the county), I
place the monastic ruins on the Shannon Isles in the forefront. As a
living proof of the devotion and the zeal of our forefathers in the cause
of religion, they are without equal, except in Clonmacnoise. I have
lately visited Inisclothraun, for the purpose of taking the necessary
photographs to supply the pictures herewith, and such an impression
did they make on me, that I envied the few residents of those islands
their calm, peaceful lot. I have conceived a special veneration for the
ruins of Inch-Clothraun, which I think are the finest in all Ireland. I
hope that the publication of views of those ruins will open them up to
the antiquarian in search of a really interesting subject.

In my visit to the island I met the old man whose portrait
will be found in the interior of one of the churches. This old
man, whose name is Daniel Farrell, is now in his eighty-fifth year,
and he told me that his father and mother had been married on
that island one-hundred and twenty-five years ago. He was the youngest
of twelve sons, all of whom had pre-deceased him, and at the time I was

HiSTOBT OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 207

speaking to him he was as hale, hearty and typical an old Irishman as
ever I met. In reply to my questions as to the building of these seven
churches, he gave a graphic account of them, as he said " by tradition."
According to this account the stones that built the churches were taken
from the quarry of Blena-Vohr, -which lies about three miles distant on
the Longford shore of Lough Ree. " They had no boats in those days,"
said the veteran, " and they used a large flat stone to carry them over
the water. This stone lies still down there on the shore." " Oh, but,
said I, " surely a heavy stone would not float in the water." " Well,
it did," said he, " ever until one day when they were building, and
in the morning they found all they had built knocked down. They
couldn't tell who did it, and they set a guard at the gate there below.
During the night the guard saw a large serpent coming up out of the
water and going round the building, knocking it down with his tail.
Then they fell on it with weapons and cut it in several places, until it
fought its way back to the water, and the next morning they traced it
by its blood in the water till they found it went into Blena-Vohr, and
so they never took more stones out of that place."

" And where did they find the rest of the stones," said I. " Oh,"
said he, " they found plenty on the shore after that." " Have you ever
heard what kind of monks lived here," I asked. " l^o," said he, " I
never heard their names ; but they were very strict men, for do you see
that circle all round there " (here he pointed to a circular wall which
enclosed five of the churches, and about three acres of land besides).
"Yes," said I. "Well," said he, "no woman, on any account or
business, was ever allowed inside that wall ; and if she came in she was
left in one of the churches till she died, which happened very soon, and
the church was accordingly called the ' Dying Church.' "

In reply to further questions, he showed me the gate in the circular
wall through which the stones were carried to build the churches.
About a hundred yards south of this is another gate, which he said
was the one in which the corpses for interment in the island were
brought to a church which lay outside the prescribed circle, and which

208 HISTOEY 01' THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

he said was called " The Lady's Churcli." Here the interments of all
who died outside took place. " In fact," said he, " there is not a spot
of this island but's full of bones and skulls ; and in particular about the
' Dying Church,' a great number of people were interred." In parting
with the old man, I told him my mission to Inisclothraun. " Well,"
said he, " I'm glad to find that the history of our county is going to be
written, and I hope you will not forget to mention in it that you met
the descendant of one of the families that Cromwell banished to hell or
to Connaught." I said I was very glad indeed to meet a true descend-
ant of those people. "Well, sir," said he, "there was a time when
my family were the strongest and richest in the barony of Rathcline ;
but when Cromwell scattered us we lost everything, and here you see
the last of the old people." I was much affected with the simple old
man's discourse, and promised him a place in these pages if ever they
were printed. Now for history.

St. Dhiarmuit Naoimh, or the Just St. Dermod. a brother to Felim,
Bishop of Kilmore, in the sixth century, founded an abbey on this island,
in the year 540, where he died a few years later. According to Colgan,
the author of "Ada Sanctorum," he wrote a learned psalter, which was
in possession of the monks of this abbey until the Danes sacked it in
1089. In 700 A.D. the Abbot St. Sionagh is recorded to have flourished
in this island ; and he died, according to the Abb^ M'Greoghegan, in
717. In 780 a learned priest, named Eochy M'Fogharty, was made
Abbot of Inisclothran ; after which, for a period of one hundred years,
there is no mention of the abbey. In 869 it is recorded that the Abbot
Curoius, who was esteemed as a very learned man, was in the height
of his reputation. He died about the year 875. In 1010 and 1016 the
Danes and Munstermen, who had previously visited Inchboffin, also
sacked and burned this abbey. In 1050 it was again plundered by
them ; and, finally, was devastated by O'Brien and the same band of
pirates who visited Inchboffin in 1089. It was restored, however,
about the year 1100 ; and, in 1136, Aid OTinn, who was also Bishop of
Ardagh, ruled over it. On the 29t-h of June, 1155, the abbey was

mSTOEY OF THE COONTi' LOXGFORD. 209

burned ta the ground, but must have been again restored; for, in the
year 1160, the death of the teacher of the schools in this abbey — a
celebrated poet, scholar, and historian, named Grilda — is recorded. In
the year 1170, a refugee prince of the line of O'Carroll took shelter in
this island. He had attempted to usurp the kingdom of Ely, which his
brother "was lawfully entitled to. The latter, however, overcame him,
and the former had to fly from his vengeance. He was pursued hither,
and despite the utmost efforts of the monks, was slain by his incensed
brother, one Rughry O'Carroll, King of Ely, in the middle of the
island. The year after, the abbot of the island, one Diarmod O'Brien,
died. In 1193 it was again sacked by Gilbert de Nangle, who com-
mitted great devastation in it. We read the following extracts in the
Annals of the Four Masters about this island : —

"719. St. Sionach died, April 20th.

" 780. Eochaidh, abbot, died.

" 769. Curoi, abbot and sage, died.

"1015 and 1050. Inisclothrann was plundered by the men of
Munster.

"1089. The fleet of the men of Munster sailed on the Shannon to
Lough Ree, and plundered all the islands of the lake, including Innis-
clothrann. This Rory O'Connor seeing, he caused the fords on the
Shannon, called Aidercheach and Rechiath, to be stopped, to the end
that they might not be ' at liberty to pass the said passages on their
return, and were driven to turn to Athlone, where they were overtaken
by Donnell MacFlynn O'Melaghlin, King of Meath, to whose protection
they wholly committed themselves, and yielded all their boats, cots, and
ships to be disposed of at his pleasure, which he received, and sent in
safe conduct with them, until they were left in their native place
of Munster.

1136. The Bishop of Breiffny died here.

1141. Grilla-na-Naomh O'Eergal, chief of the people of Annaly,
the most prosperous man in Ireland, died at a great age, and was
buried :at Inisclothrann.

tt ■

210 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOKD.

''1150. Morogh, the son of GioUa-na-Naomli, tlie tower of the
splendour and nobility of the east of Connaught, died.

" 1160. Giolla-na-Naomh O'Dunne, a lecturer of Inisclothrann, and
a well-spoken, eloquent man, sent his spirit to his Supreme Father,
amidst a choir of angels, on the 17th December, in the 58th year of
his age.

" 1167. Kinneth O'Ketternaigh, priest of Inisclothrann, died,

"1168. The daughter of O'Quinn, wife of MacCorganma, was
interred at Innisclothran.

" 1170. Dermot O'Brien, chief, senior of the east of Connaught,
died in Innisclothrann in the 95th year of his age.

" 1174. Eory O'CarroU, Lord of Ely, was slain in the middle of
Innisclothrann.

" 1193. Innisclothrann was plundered by the sons of OostoUoe, and
by the sons of Conor Moinmoy (both of Connaught).

" 1232. Tiopraide O'Breen, an ecclesiastic learned in history, died
on his pilgrimage on this island.

" 1244. Donogh, the son of Fuinghim, son of Torlogh O'Connor,
and bishop of Elphin, died here on April 23rd, and was interred in the
Monastery of Boyle."

Inchbofln.

Inch boffin is an island in Loughree, in the Shannon. There are
many islands in this lough, which extends almost from Lanesborough
to Athlone, and is reputed to be in some parts from six to nine miles
broad. The name " Inchboffin " is the Gaelic term for the Island of
the " White Cow."

According to Usher, an abbey was founded here in the year 520,
by St. Eioch, the son of St. Darerca, sister to St. Patrick. The year of
the death of St. Rioch is unrecorded; but, in 750, an abbot named
Fiengal, who was son of Denchad, of the line of Heremon, died.
Twenty years later (in 770), according to the Annals of the Four
Masters, the abbey was burned to the ground— the inmates barely

HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFOKD. 211

escaping •with, their lives. It was rebuilt, however, before the year 800 ;
for the death of Blathmac, the abbot, is recorded by the same writers- in
1809. In the year 1010 the men of Limerick and Clare sailed up the
Shannon from Limerick, accompanied by a number of Danes, who
dwelt in that city, and they sacked all the islands in this lake, includ-
iag this island and the abbey on it. In 1016 they renewed their
acquaintance with Lough Ree, and sacked Innisboffin again. In 1025,
the death of the Abbot Chonsal, who originally came from Ulster,
is mentioned; and the abbey was finally destroyed by the Danes
and Munstermen in 1089, headed by Muirkeartack O'Brien, of
Thomond.

Concerning this island we also read the following extracts in the
Annals of the Four Masters : —

" 667. Colman, bishop, accompanied by other saints, went to Innis-
bofl&n, and founded a monastery, which took its name from that place.

" 674. CoTman died.

" 7 1 1. Bartan, bishop, died.

" 750. Fiangal, abbot, died.

" 809. Blathmac, Foster-son to the Great Colgan, died.

" 898. Caoncomrag, of the caves of Innisboffin, died. (He was a
holy anchorite.)

"916. Feradhach, abbot, died.

"1015, 1050, and 1089. The men of Munster plundered and
destroyed this monastery."

All Saints' Island and Inch Ainghin.

All Saints' Island is one of the most important islands in Lough
Eee, and was the site of a splendid monastery built by St. Kieran, the
first Bishop of Clonmacnoise, in the year 544. After founding the
monastery, he appointed as his abbot St. Domnan, and then left the
island and repaired to Clonmacnoise, where he lived during the remain-
der of his life.

No other mention is made of it until 1089, when, as well as the

212" HISTORT OF THE COUNTY LONGfOKD.

other islands in the neighbourhood, it was plundered and despoiled by
Murkertach O'Brien and a large fleet of Danes and Ostmen. In 1272,
the death of the Abbot Arectac Y. Fin is mentioned, so that the monas-
tery must have been restored as well as its sister edifices on the neigh-
bouring islands ; and in the same year we find it mentioned that Sir
Henry Dillon, of Drumrany, who had come into Ireland with the Earl
of Morton, erected an abbey on the site of St. Kiernan's structure.
There being no mention made of the destruction of the latter, it is diffi-
cult to understand how Sir Henry could have erected a monastery,
unless he demolished the old one in order to substitute a better one,
particularly as the death of the existing abbot is recorded in the same
year. In the year 1405, the Canon Augustine M'Graidan died, and was
interred in the chancel of his chapel. He was a very learned man, and
is said to have written the lives of all the Irish saints, as well as the
records of the abbey, down to his own time, both of which works are
yet preserved in the library of Oxford. James I. of England granted
this island, as well as portion of the islands and land in the lough, to
Sir Patrick Barnewall, in the year 1620, but it was again taken from
him for his part in connexion with the petition of Catholic grievances
in the following reign.

In a small island near Lanesborough called Inch Ainghin, St.
Kieran also built a church.

" 894. Inch Ainghin was violated, and persons were wounded in
the middle of it, although St. Kieran's shrine and many religious~
persons, together with Cairbree Cronn, Bishop of Clonmacnoise, were
present.

" 895. Toictuch, of Inch Yana, died.

" 1015, 1050, and 1089. This island shared the same fate as the
other islands in Lough Ree." — Annals of Four Masters.

Kilglass (Legan).

An abbess named Echea is said to have had founded for her here a
convent in the fifth century by St. Mel, Bishop of Ardagh, who was her

HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 213

brother. According to. the " Life of St. Patrick," by Colgan, Echea
was a sister to St. Mel.

Echea, the virgin of Kilglass, is enumerated amongst the daughters
of Darerca (sister to St. Patrick) by Ervinus, in the Scriptural Life of
St. Patrick, and by St. Aengus, a scholar of his day, "who says : — " The
virtuous sons of Darerca were seventeen transmarine bishops. She had
two daughters — the devout Echea, who raised the dead and cured
lepers, and Laloca of Senlios, behind Mount Badgnah." There is no
record preserved of St. Echea's Convent, nor of the length of time it
existed ; nor is there anything known in this parish of St. Lupita, who
had a convent at the foot of Slieve Goldry about the same time ; and
the tradition of both virgins is very dim and uncertain.

Moydow.

The ancient name of this parish was Kilmodhain, or Kilmacdhumha,
so called from being the " kil " or cell of St, Modhain, or Modiud the
Simple, whose feast is celebrated, according to the "Lives of the
Saints," on February 12th. St. Modan lived about the year 591, when
he was made a bishop. Previous to this he had erected the Priory
of Moydow, no ruins of which now exist. It is said that one Brclaus,
a disciple and presbyter of St. Patrick, was a presbyter here for some
time after its erection. Mr. O'Donovan says this was one of the oldest
priories in Ireland.

Bearg, or Ahbey-dearg.

Distant about five miles due south from Longford, is the Cemetery
of Abbey Dearg, in which stands the crumbling ruins of what was once
a priory for Regular Canons of the Order of St. Augustine. This priory
was founded about the year 1205, by Grormgal O'Quinn, Lord of Rath-
cline, and was dedicated to St. Peter; and in 1217, the first abbot of
the monastery, Osin by name, died and was interred here. On the
death of Brendan Jifagodaig, Bishop of Ardagh, in 1255, his remains
also were interred in this priory, which continued to exist until 1550,
when it was suppressed, and the buildings and land, to the value of £2

214 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

annually, Irish money, were bestowed on one Nicholas Alymor, an
English soldier.

The existing ruins of, the Abbey of Dearg prove it to have been a
most perfect monastic structure. The plate which I am enabled to present
of it is not a very perfect one, owing to the entire demolition of the
main walls of the building, and the complete covering of the walls,
showing the eastern and southern window by a thick coat of impene-
trable ivy. I have examined the ruins minutely, and conclude that it
consisted of a main chancel (of chapel), vestry, dining-room, dormitory,
and a number of cells. The principal walls of all, except the southern
and eastern portion of the chancel, are now demolished to a height of
two or three feet, and in this way I have been unable to find a vantage
point from which to give a satisfactory picture.

Abbey Shrule.

This abbey was situated near the Eiver Inny, in the barony of
Shrule, and its original name was Srohill. It is not stated who was
its founder ; but it is recorded that, in the year 901, the Abbot Maelpoil
died, and was succeeded by the Abbot Caincomhrac, who died in 952.
The old abbey was then destroyed by the Danes, who came up the
Shannon from Limerick ; but, in 1340, O'Farrell, Prince of Annaly,
raised a monastery on its ruins to the honour of the. Blessed Virgin for
monks of the Cistercian Order; and, in 1365, the death of its first
abbot, Maceatalius, took place. The abbey then continued to exist
until the suppression of monasteries by Queen Elizabeth, who granted
it and all its lands to Robert Dillon, Earl of Roscommon, and his heirs
male, in capite for ever.

This is, next to the ruins in Lough Ree, the best preserved of all
our county monastic ruins. In fact, it is really much better preserved
than any of them ; but being a more modern erection than they, I do
not wish to detract from the merits of " the Seven Churches," or St.
Kieran's or St. Rioch's foundations. The Abbey of Shrule is built on
a commanding position. At its foot, in a glorious sweep, the Inny

a

<

I

en

O

a
a

H

o
Eh

a

a

H

P5

HTSTOET OF THE COUNTY LON&FOED. 217

flews down to Tenelick, whilst it stands on a gently wooded rising
ground. The existing ruins of this splendid monastery show it to have
been one of the finest in all Leinster. It was built in rectangular
shape, and, after a minute ei^amination, I am of opinion that it con-
tained the following apartments : square tower, with spiral staircase
and numerous small cells ; dormitories or cells for monks ; chapel, with
magnificent window facing east ; yestry, two pantries, dining-hall and
kitchen. The tower faces the south-west, when in a straight line the
cells were ranged to the chapel, into which there were two modes of
ingress. Off the chapel branched a square apartment which, I conceive,
was the vestry, and from this an arched door led into the dining-hall.
From this description and the accompanying plates, the reader can see
that there were few larger abbeys than that of Abbey Shrule.

BaUymacormach.

In the present Cemetery of Ballymacormack, and distant about one
mile from the town of Longford, stands the remains of the old Church
of Ballymacormack, which, I am of opinion, was once a chapel of ease
for Longford. The present remains of the structure consist of a
northern, southern, and western wall, all being in good condition, and
standing at a height of sixteen or twenty feet from the ground. In
the middle of the southern wall there is a low arched doorway, and in
the same wall there are also several well-preserved windows of the
most ancient pattern. In the western wall, which formed the gable-
end of the erection, there are a number of small square holes, resembling,
at a distance, loopholes ; and in the northern wall (almost in the very
middle) there has grown up an immense ash-tree, which has dislodged
a considerable portion of the original masonry, but yet affords a very
fair protection to the existing structure. In the middle of the building
there seems to have been at one time a cross wall, as if the church
were composed of two apartments. I have endeavoured to ascertain if
such was the case, and have been told that it was not. I have been

s

218 HISTOBT OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

informed that this church was built in the twelfth century by O'Farrell
of Longford, and existed until the fifteenth century. No name of abbots
or monks is given in connection with it in any monastic record that I
have been able to peruse. >

An old inhabitant of the parish says that at the time of the intro-
duction of the Reformation into this county, the Reformers thought to
make a church out of the chapel, and did roof it for this purpose. The
next morning the roof was found in a part of the Dash River, called
PuUnawatha ; and the Reformers did not again attempt to meddle with
Ballymacormack Church. In the dreadful days of the mortality of '32,
the Parish Priest of Longford used to go out to this old ruin and say
Mass in it — the congregation kneeling away from one another, through
fear of the contagion. Such, indeed, was their fear of one another
during those days, that it was with difficulty they could be induced
even to enter any church or chapel to assist at divine service.

There is a similar building in the Cemetery of Clondra, beside the
Roman Catholic Chapel, concerning which I find an old reference, as
follows : " A.D. 1323. GrioUa Airnin O'Casey, Archdeacon of Cluan-
da-rath, died."

Protestant History of Ardagh.

The Protestant Reformation was established in the County Long-
ford by Queen Elizabeth, who joined the Diocese of Ardagh to the
Diocese of Kilmore, in virtue of her powers as Head of the Church.
This occurred about the year 1600 ; and, in 1633, one William Bedell,
who had been first Protestant bishop, resigned his appointment, and
John Richardson, a native of Chester, in England, and Protestant
Archdeacon of Kerry, was advanced in Church preferment to the See
of Ardagh. This man foresaw the effects of the constant plundering
of the Catholics by the Elizabethan soldiers, parsons, and ruck of
followers, which terminated, as history informs us, in the foundation,
in 1641, of the Catholic Confederation of Kilkenny. Accordingly, in

HI STOUT 01' THE COTJNTY LONGFOED. 219

tha summer o£ 1641, he gathered up all his earthly belongings, folded
his tent, and went into England, leaving his flock to take care of them-
selves. A short time previous to his departure, he had forcibly wrested
from one Teigue Roddy, a kinsman of the O'Farrells, some of his
hereditary tenements in Ardagh. Teigue resisted the injustice, and
applied to the Irish House of Commons for protection ; but the mem-
bers being all of one mind when a native chieftain was to be plucked,
declined to interfere on Teigue's behalf. Teigue then applied to the
English House of Commons for that which was denied him at home.
Thereupon, the Protestant Bishop of Clonfert rose in his place in the
Irish House of Lords, and moved that Brother Richardson, of Ardagh,
being a member of the Irish House of Lords, was exempt from any
jurisdiction possessed by the British House of Commons. He, therefore,
proposed that the Lord Chancellor communicate this to the Speaker of
the British House, and that a resolution be passed by the House to
prevent such " Episcopal grievances " in future. And thus, in obedi-
ence to the intolerant spirit of party ascendancy, poor Teigue O'Roddy
was denied the benefits of the protection of the law. So much for the
justice that prevailed in those days. In 1654 Bishop Richardson died ;
but his see had been kept vacant by the Cromwellians, from the estab-
lishment of the Commonwealth, in 1649, until the restoration of
Charles II. — during all which time its revenues had been sequestrated
by the Puritans. In 1660 it was reunited to Kilmore ; statu quo it
remained until 1692, when the bishop, William Sheridan, was removed
from the see, owing to his Jacobite tendencies, and Ulysses Burgh, an
Englishman, appointed in his stead. The union of both dioceses was
then broken, and Ardagh was constituted an independent diocese, which
it remained until the year 1742, when it was placed under the Arch-
bishopric of Tuam, the Most Rev. Bishop Harte being spiritual pastor
of both dioceses. The union between Ardagh and Tuam continued
until the year 1840, when Ardagh was taken from the latter and given
to Kilmore — the Diocese of Elphin being added to both — and the
present bishop is, I believe, the Most Rev. Dr. Shone, his predecessor,

220 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

Most Eev. Dr. Darley, having been at one time Rector of Temple-
micliael, and highly esteemed by Protestant and Catholic alike whilst
in the town of Longford. He is now about two years deceased ; and
although the present bishop may be a worthy successor, yet I think he
will never maintain the same place in the affections of his Catholic
fellow-countrymen as did the late bishop.

The foregoing histoi-ical references to the ecclesiastical history of
the County of Longford are, doubtless, amply sufficient to convince the
reader of the fact that our county enjoyed the great blessing of the
presence of a large number of monasteries, abbeys, and convents in
their midst, in the troubled days of the Danish and Anglo-Saxon invasions.
During the days of persecution and trouble a good many of these were
destroyed by the furious bigotry which then prevailed, and only their
ruins now remain to attest that they once existed. JSFevertheless, on
the ruins of persecution and of trouble, and on the debris of religious
bigotry and intolerance, are rising up to-day, thank God, convents and
colleges in our county which bid fair to rival the ^cloisters of Lerha
and the schools of Lough Ree.

PART II,

GENEALOGICAL RECORDS OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

The O'Farrells of Annaly.

Although there seems to be some doubt amongst genealogists as to
the exact location of Annaly, I do not think there is anyone who will
read these lines will doubt that, prior to the English invasion, and long
before, the O'JFarrells were the Chieftains of Annaly. Any doubt at all
which exists on the pomt seems to rest on the fact that on St. Patrick's
arrival at Grranard, in the middle of the fifth century, a prince named

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 221

Cai^bre, wlio, according to O'Hart, was the progenitor of tlie O'Kearneys
and O'Kearys, lived there ; whilst at the same time the posterity of
Mann lived in Southern Annaly. It would also appear that the tribe
which afterwards conquered Cairbre and Mann's posterity, and i]i the
tenth century assumed the name O'Fearghail, lived more eastwa/d, or
nearer to the great heart of Erin at Tara.

Again, recent writers locating the ancient territories of the chief-
tains of Ireland, have gone the length of asserting that Lower Annaly
extended from Longford to the Country of Fenagh, or the MacRaimels'
country, and Upper Annaly from Grranard eastwards to Meath. This
would entirely exclude South Longford of the present day, and move
Annaly of old more eastward and northward than the dwelling-places
of its inhabitants in the tenth and subsequent centuries would warrant.

My own opinion on the subject is, that the O'Ferralls were
direct descendants of Mann, who gradually spread themselves by
families from the Inny to the Shannon in a north-western direction ;
and that after the battle of Clontarf they assumed the title of
O'Fearghail, by which, as a clan name, they were afterwards known
in Irish history. To contend that in those days of rude warfare
any sept would be able to dislodge and banish from its country for
ever the people whose inheritance it had been, is childish and unten-
able, whereas the records of the kingdom show that even the Ard-
Eigh-n'EiriBn was unable to do that, except on very rare occasions.
I dismiss, therefore, from argument that uncertain tale; and
come to the time when all of the present County Longford was the
exclusive patrimony of the O'Ferralls, Princes of Annaly, The most
important event in connexion with their rule was that related at page
23, under date 1445. This was the creation of Upper and lower
Annaly, the latter being that part of the present County Longford
adjacent to Leitrim, and Upper Annaly almost corresponding lo the
South Longford of to-day. The chiefs who ruled Lower Annaly were
called O'Farrells Bane, and those who ruled Upper Annally O'Farrells
Bui or Boy. Coming down to the year 1571, we find that Fpghny

222 HISTOEi' OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

OTarrell Boy of Palles and Mornin, was the Chief of Upper Annaly,
and Fergus O'Farrell Bane of Tully, was the Chief of Lower Annaly.
In the indenture of surrender agreed upon by the O'Farrells, in 1570,
the O'Farrell Boy was made Seneschal of the County Longford, but in
the next year his appointment was disputed by Fergus O'Farrell Bane,
and the others of that name, including Lisagh O'Farrell, who was the
last native O'Farrell, Bishop of Ardagh. This was, of course, the result
the English conquerors and diplomatists had in view, and amply was it
gained. They played for disunion in the native camp, and they won.
The official records pre^nted of the litigation and lawsuits which the
O'Farrells revelled in at this juncture, prove most amply the success of
the invader. Passing away from that, and coming to look for the
descendants of Fergus O'Farrell on one side, and Faghny on the other,
we find that Iriell became head of the Bane family, whilst James was
the successor of Faghny, as head of the Buidhes. From James the
patrimony descended to Roger, of Mornin, whose birth is recorded in
1 647, after which it is difficult to trace the main line of the O'Farrell family.
It may have been that the Boy line became extinct on the male side,
in which case the last living representative of it would be the daughter,
Jane O'Farrell, who married in 1660, and of whose issue there is no
record. In the subsequent troubles that occurred in Ireland, many of the
.O'Farrells went to France, Spain, and Austria, where" they became
military commandants, and raised themselves to places of honour and
emolument in their adopted countries. Several of their descendants are
living to this day in these countries. I have diligently looked up the
family records of the various O'Farrell or Farrell families now living in
Longford County, and I regret to express my inability to 'give a
fuller list of direct descendants still living "in the old spot"
than the following : — Nominally, Edward More O'Ferrall, J.P., D.L., of
Lissard, County Longford, is looked upon by genealogists as the head
of the old O'Farrell Clan. Such a claim, if made by himself^ could not
be upheld. Mr. O'Ferrall's family originally lived in Ballinree, near
Edgeworthstown, where they held a farm, and were in comfortable

HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 223

cirtjumstances. By the death of an old gentleman named Eoger
O'Farrell, who was no relation of theirs, and who owned a large lot of
house property in Dublin, as well as landed property in the country,
they became possessed of the Lissard estate, which Mr. B. M. O'Ferrall
owns at the present day. Their family could not, therefore, be said to
occupy more than a sub-chieftaincy in the old days of Brehon laws and
tanistry succession in Ireland. A very much more ancient family than
they, were the O'Farrells of Camliskmore, near Bdgeworthstowu. [See
foot-note, page 147.] They are actually to-day in possession of some
of the old patrimony to which Connell O'Farrell was restored by
Charles I. in 1660. Quiet, unassuming people, they have not adopted
the Anglified manners of their more fortunate (?) former neigh-
bour's family, which is now represented by Mr. E. M. O'Ferrall. Next
in the order of merit I would mention the family of Mr. John Forbes
O'Ferrall, of Corbeagh. They are some of the old O'Ferrall Bane
stock, who have never parted with the idea of their ancient descent.
After them I would put the family of the Farrells of Aghanaspick, who,
on the female side, are descended from the oldest family in the barony of
Moydow. In " A Eegistcy of Popish Priests, compiled by order of one
of the penal statutes of Queen Anne, in 1704, the name of Michael
Farrell, of Aghanaspick, appears as security " in the sum of £40, for the
good behaviour " of a " Popish " priest, then resident in Longford. At
that time this Mr. Farrell was the only native Catholic in the barony
of Moydow whose surety for the good conduct of the Eoman Catholic
clergyman would be accepted. At page 97 it will "be seen that the
O'Farrell Boy, of Mornin, was granted a number of townlands, which
were erected into the Manor of Mornin in 1621. Amongst the town-
lands so left is that of Aghanaspick ; and taking into account the near
relations subsisting between the chieftains and their feudaries in those
days, I am almost certain that this family of Farrells could rightly
claim connexi'on with, if not descent from, the O'Farrells Boy of Upper
Annaly.

Another family of the old stock are the Farrells of Lehery and Lis-

224 HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

nacuflha, in the parish of Kathcline. At page 93 the reader will find
re^eience to " 60a. of Leary, assigned to Lisagh (Lewis), Oge O'Farrell."
This Lisagh was ancestor of the present Lehery and Lisnacusha family.
Amongst the families unfortunately extinct are those of the O'Farrells,
of KQlen-Crubock, in Legan, and that of Mr. Fergus Farrell, who was
expelled from the Irish House of Commons for being " an active instru-
ment against the Protestant interest " in 1690. Of the former family,
the late Rev. Richard O'Farrell, P.P., of Killashee, was the last repre-
sentative. Of him there are many strange stories told ; but as they
touch on matters religious, I do not deem it prudent to relate them for
the sneers of the sceptical or the laugh of the ignorant. The family
of Mr. Fergus Farrell became extensive seed merchants in Dublin, where
they flourished in the early part of the present century ; but consump-
tion getting in amongst them, they all died off many years ago. I will
close this lengthened genealogical survey by giving a table of the " old
stock," from Ir down to Roger O'Farrell, who was born in. 1 647, and
of whose subsequent career there is so little known : —

BRANCH.

Bry

B( 'anei

;Villiam OTarrall,
of Ballintobber

Irie
Boy

3lma
-rail,

Jaitiirach_

Bo:

Bog
Boy

Col

o";

J

O'

Bo

aul:

toS:

Sy(

E
bon

Daughter of
Nangle,
Baxouof
Navan

Catlieriue,

daughter of

Fag-hny

OTairell

of Moate

Conve Ball
(blind) Ferrall

Joaue Butler,

daughter of Lord

Viscount

Mountgarrett

Hubert Ferrall,
of Xjiscoxinac

Teige

Ferrall,

of Lis lea,

male line

extinct

Edmond

Farrall,

of Pallas,

Longford,

male line
extinct

Lewis

Farrall, of

Listibbot,

male line

extinct

Daniel
Farrall,
of Doory

Honor
O'Dwyre

Hubert
Ferrall

Capt. Edmond
Ferrall, died
unmarried

Daughter of
O'MoUoy

Capt. Marks
Farrell, no
male issue

I Bryan
I Farrall, ot
I Ballintobber

Mnrgery,

daughter of

Arthur

Nangle

Margaret,
daughter of Col.
Phihp O'Reyley

I

Edmund

Ferrall

Ca nuUiut Jilius)

Major Kedagh
Eob. Ferrall

Daniel Koe, heir to

his cousins,

no issue

Jane,

daughter of

Bayly, Bishop

of Clonfert

Joan, wife of
Col. Edward
Boy O'lieyley

Teige Farrell,
of Liscormac

HISTORY OP HE OOITOTY LONGFOED. 229

Genealogy of the Princes of Annaly.

1 . Ir : 37tli from Adam.

2. Heber Donn, his son.

3. Hebric,liis son.

4. Artreus, his son.
6. Artrurus, his son.

6. Sednans, his son, and one of the monarchs of Ireland.

7. Fiachus Fion Scothach, his son, and a monarch of Ireland.

8. OUamh Fodla, his son, a king of Ireland, and the Solomon of the
Irish nation, who first laid the foundation of constitutional government.

9. Carbry, his son.

10. Lauradeus.

11. Brathaus.

12. Finnius, his son, and a monarch of Ireland.

13. Longimanus, his son, a monarch of Ireland, so called because
of his long hands, the fingers of which reached the ground when he
stood up ; slain B.C. 865.

14. Argetmarus, his son.
16. Fomarius, his son.

16. Dubius, his son, so called, because of a hesitating nature.

17. Eossius, his son.

18. Strubius, his son. •

19. Indercus, his son.

20. Grlassius, his son.

21. Carbreus, his son.

22. Feberdil, his son.

23. Folgenus, his son.

24. Dubuis, his son.
26. Sthric, his son.

26. Eory More, his son, and a monarch of Ireland, who died 218 li.o.
He was the founder of the Clan-na-Rory.

27. Rossius, his son, who had a brother called Aongus, from whom
descended the Clan MacGuiness.

T

232 HISTOEY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD

79. Grillacius O'Farrell, his son.

80. Morocli O'Farrell, tis son.

81. Charles O'Farrell, his son.

82. Thomas O'Farrell, his son.

83. Charles O'Farrell, his son.

The next family we will turn our attention to will be the Dowdalls,
of Ballinamore, in this county. Their family record, procured from a
reliable source, is one that tells its own story : —

Pedigree of the Dowdall Family of Ballymalion and Ballymacormach,

in the Go. Longford.
Arms. — The arms of this family are a crowned dove and six
martlets, and are to be seen on the family vault at Shrule G-raveyard.
Motto. — " Innocentia ut Columba " — " Innocent as a dove."
Descent. — The Dowdalls are of English descent, having originally
settled in Louth, when they became very strong in numbers and wealth.
The old saying of " Riherniores Hibernis ipsis " was equally true in
their case as in that of the Fitzgeralds, Burkes, &c., for no more sturdy
foes confronted English tyranny in Ireland since the twelfth century
than the Dowdalls of the County Louth.

Pedigree.

1446. Robert Dowdall appointed Chief Justice of the Common
Pleas.

1450. Sir Thomas, son of Sir Robert Dowdall, married Elizabeth,
daughter of James, third Baron of Delvin. Issue — An only daughter,
who married first Baron of Navan, and then Viscount Gormanston.

1460. Sir John Dowdall, of Newtown and Termonfeckin, near Dub-
lin, was next of the name, and was succeeded by —

1471. Sir Thomas Dowdall, who, in 1478, was created Master of
the Rolls in Ireland.

1610. To him succeeded Sir William Dowdall, who had issue three
sons — George, John and James. George became Archbishop of

flISTOET OP THE COUNTT LONGFORD, 233

Armagli in succession to George Cromer, but for defending tte
Catholic doctrine of tlie Mass liad to fly to tlie Continent. Henry YIII.
appointed Hugh Grodacre as archbishop ; whilst Pope Paul III. appointed
Robert Wauchop, a man who was blind from his infancy. In 1554,
during the reign of Queen Mary, Dr. Dowdall was recalled, and rein-
stalled in his office by letters patent from the Queen and the sanction of
the Pope. In the same year he received a commission from the Head
of the Church to depose married and impenitent ecclesiastics.

1540. Sir John Dowdall succeeded Sir William. The youngest son
became Solicitor-General, 1554 ; Judge of the Queen's Bench, 1565 ;
and Chief Justice, 1583. James's issue were — Edward, Patrick,
Nicholas, Antony and Jennett, who erected the crosses at Duleek and
Baronstown

1570. To Sir John succeeded Sir John, whose children were all
daughters, and he made a settlement of his property amongst them.
Honor, the yoiuigest daughter, married her relative, Laurence, son to
Edward and great grandson of Sir William, thus uniting the properties
in Louth County with those in Meath, purchased by Sir James when
Chief Justice. To ~ Sir John succeeded Laurence of Athlumny, the
grandson of James.

1647. Sir Laurence Dowdal , of Athlumny, was one of the Confede-
rate Catholics who attended the Confederation of Kilkenny. He was
on that account deprived of life and estates by Cromwell's Act of 1652.
Issue — Luke, who su.cceeded Henry of Drogheda, John of Glaspistol,
Patrick of Termonfeckin, Laurence of Quelca.

1661. Sir Luke succeeded under the Act of Grace of Charles 11.
He married Mary 0' Byrne of Cabinteely, and had three sons — Daniel,
who became a priest, James, John.

1691. To Sir Luke, his youngest son, John, succeeded, but only to
the name, for there was no quarter for Catholics in those days. He
married Margaret Allen, of St. Woolstans, Celbridge. Issue— Patrick,
George and James, who came to Ballymahon and remained there.

1750. Patrick (m.) Catherine Tyrrell. Issue — Patrick of AtWbne,

234^ HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

James of Mornine. G-eorge (m.) Mary M'Loughlin. Issue — Henry,
George of Ballymahon.

James Dowdall, born 1702 ; died unmarried, 1806 ; lived at Moigh,
and purchased Terlicken and Ballyglasson. Greorge of Athlone, son of
Patrick (m.) Mary Kelly. Issue — Matilda, who married Greorge
G-artlan, Esq., J.P., Newry. William Dowdall (Captain) of Ballymulyy,
son of George, (m.) Mary Skelton. Issue — Marcella, who (in.) George
Fitzgerald, of Bullock, Dalkey.

-1793, born; 1881, died— Henry Dowdall, solicitor, son of Henry,
(m.) Anne Coffey. Issue — Anastatia, who married Captain Arthur
Croker.

1791, born; 1875, died — George Dowdall (son of Henry and Eliza
Cassin), married Anne Agnes Watson, Abbeyshrule. Issue — Henry
Francis, James, Joseph, William Laurence.

James Joseph Dowdall, youngest son of George, is a priest, and
at present Catholic Curate of Ardagh, the ancient See of St. Mel,
which brings down the pedigree to the present day.

We will now give the pedigree of the modern nobility of Longford
County.

Pedigree of the Pakenhams of Longford.

The ancient and noble family of Pakenham is of Saxon extraction,
and was settled at Pakenham in the County of Suffolk, in England,
where William de Pakenham, one of the Judges, resided in the reign of
King Edward I. His eldest son. Sir Edmund Pakenham, Knt., in the
reign of King Edward II., married Rose, one of the daughters and
co-heirs of Robert de Valvines, by whom he had two sons, viz.,
William and Edmund, which latter died in 19 Edward III. William
married, had issue, and was succeeded by Thomas, his eldest
son, who died in the reign of King Henry IV. ; he was succeeded
by his eldest son, Theobald, who died in the latter end of the
reign of King Henry V,, or beginning of Henry VI. About this time
the. family changed their place of residence to Lordington, in the

HISTOBY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOED. 235

County of Sussex, where Hugh, the eldest son of Theobald, lived in the
reigns of King Henry YI. and Edward IV. ; he was succeeded by his
eldest son. Sir Hugh Pakenham, Knt., who died in the reign of King
Henry YII., leaving issue two sons, viz., John and Nicholas, and also
a daughter, Anne, married first to Sir Thomas Fitzwilliam, who was
slain at Flodden-Field, 4 Henry VIIL, and afterwards to Sir "William
Sydney, Knight Banneret, by whom she had issue, Henry Sydney,
Knight of the Grarter and Lord Deputy of Ireland ; she died in 1644.

John, the eldest son of Sir Hugh, was knighted, and died in the
reign of King Henry YIII., leaving issue a daughter, Constance (with
whom the lordship of Lordington went at her marriage to Sir Gleoffry
De la Pole, Knt., second son of Sir Eichard De la Pole, Knight of the
Garter, and died 5 Henry YIII.), by his wife, Margaret Plantagenet,
Countess of Salisbury, only daughter of George, Duke of Clarence,
brother to King Edward lY.

Nicholas, the younger son of Sir Hugh, married the daughter and

heir of Clement, Esq., of the County of Cambridge, and died in the

reign of King Henry YIII., leaving issue one son, Robert, who, through
the interest of his uncle. Sir William Sydney, chamberlain of the house-
hold to King Edward YI., was made Clerk of the Green Cloth, which
employment he held to his death, residing generally, when not in
attendance at court, at Tooting-Beck, in Surrey ; he possessed a very
extensive property, which he much improved by marrying Elizabeth,
daughter and heir to Sir Maurice Berkeley, of "Wymondham, in the
County of Leicester, Knight.

Robert made his will, September 2nd, 1552, proved 30th November
that year, and died soon after, leaving issue by his wife, Elizabeth (who
re-married with Robert Livesey, and had two sons, Edward and Gabriel),
four sons, all minors, viz. — Robert, Edmund, who married Frances
Sackforde, and died in 1601 ; John of Wimbleton, in the County of
Surrey, died 1592 without issue; and Anthony.

The wardship and marriage of Robert, the eldest son, was in the
first year of her reign granted by Queen Mary to Sir Henry Sydney ;

236 HISTOBT OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

■which Kobert married Ursula, daughter of Clement Chicheley, of
"Worsely, in the County of Cambridge, Esq., and had issue by her, who
died before him, two sons, Henry and Clement, and having made his
will in February, 1595, died soon after, leaving his said sons minors.

Henry, who resided usually at Northwitham, in the County of
Lincoln, was in 1609 made a knight by King James I., and dying
unmarried in March, 1620, was buried at Northwitham, and his fortune
devolved to his brother Clement, who, being a man of an extravagant dis-
position, and having no children, dissipated and sold the greatest part,
if not the whole of the great estates he mherited from his brother. He
died in 1651, was buried 5th July, with his brother, and administration
to his effects was granted to Jane, his widow, who died in 1667, and
was buried with him, 17th August, at Northwitham.

The elder branch of the family becoming extinct on the death of
Clement without issue, we return to the younger sons of Robert, Clerk
of the Grreen Cloth, who died in 1552.

Edmond, second son of the said Robert, accompanied Sir Henry
Sydney, in 1576, when he was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and was one
of his family. He married Frances, daughter of Thomas Sack-
forde, Esq., who was also one of the Lord Lieutenant's confidential ser-
vants ; and after the death of Sir Henry Sydney, he settled at Wimble-
ton, in Surrey, and died there in 1604, leaving issue of five sons, viz.,
Philip, Henry, Edmond, Thomas and Robert ; and one daughter, Mary.
John, the third son of Robert, Clerk of the Green Cloth, was educated
at Cambridge ; he made his will, 24th November, 1601, and died in 1602.
Anthony, the youngest son of Robert, died young.

Philip, the eldest son of Edmond, second son of Robert, Clerk of the
Green Cloth, was knighted by King James in 1616, and died without
issue, as did his three next brothers, Henry, Edmond, and Thomas.

Robert, the youngest son of the said Edmond, succeeding to North-
witham and the remaining part of the estate of Clement, -married
Eleanor, daughter and heir to Clement, to Thomas Horsey, of Clifton,
Dorset, and had four sons, Edward, Henry, Philip, and Robert; the

HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 239

eldest died 1 670 ; the others subscribed the greater part of their fortunes
as adventurers, and in 1642 obtained commissions and went over to
Ireland, each with the command of a troop of horse, among those who
were sent on the breaking out of the rebellion of 1641. They obtained
considerable grants of lands in consideration of their adventures and
services.

The second son, Henry Pakenham, had a grant of the lands of
Tullynally, County "Westmeath, which he called Pakenham Hall, as also
other lands in Westmeath and Wexford, confirmed by patent 20
Charles II.; M.P., Navan, 1661; made his will 16th January, 1690;
proved 7th July, 1691 ; buried at Mayne, aged 80, having married first,
Mary, daughter of Robert Hill, of Trim, County Meath; she died 12th
June, 1665, having had issue. He married secondly, 1670, Anne,

widow of Bridgewater, and sister of Sir Thomas Pigot, master of the

■ Court of Wards, and a son, Robert, rector of Kilbeggan, County West-
meath. His eldest son, Sir Thomas, knighted by William III., 1692,
created Prime Sergeant-at-Law, 1695 ; M.P., Augher, County Tyrone;
died 1706, having married first, 1673, Mary, daughter of Richard
Nelmes, Alderman of London, and had issue. He married secondly one
Bellingham.

His grandson, Thomas Patkenham, M.P., Longford borough, created
Baron of Longford, in the Peerage of Ireland, 27th April, 1776 ; born
May, 1713; died 20th April, 1776, having married, 5th March,
1739, daughter and sole heiress of Michael Cuffe, Esq., of Longford
(nephew and heir of Ambrose Aungier, second and last Earl of
Longford, of the first creation). She was created Countess of Long-
ford, 5th July, 1785 ; died 27th January, 1794, having had four
daughters and three sons — (1) Edward Michael, succeeded as second
baron. (2) Robert, M.P., County Longford, 1768, captain, 33rd regi-
ment; born November 1748; died unmarried at Gibraltar, 7th July,
1775. (3) Hon. Sir Thomas, of Colure, County Westmeath, C.C.B.,
admiral of the red, M.P., Longford, 1783, storekeeper of the ordnance ;
1788; born 29th September, 1757; died 2nd February, 1836, having

TI

240 HISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONGPOED.

married, 24tli June, 1786, Louisa, daughter of the Eight Hon. John
Staples (Bart.) ; she died, having had with other issue six sons and
four daughters.

Edward Michael, second Baron, post-captain R.N., M.P., County-
Longford, 1765, P. C. 1777; born 1st April, 1743; died 3rd June,
1792, having married, 25th June, 1768, Catherine, daughter of Eight
Hon. Hercules Langford Eowley and Elizabeth Viscountess Langford ;
she died 12th March, 1816, having had, with four daughters, five
sons.

(1.) Thomas succeeded as third Baron and second Earl.

(2.) Hon Sir Edward Michael, major-general in the army, G.C.B. ;
born 19th March, 1778 ; fell in action, 8th January, 1815.

(3.) Hon. Sir Hercules Eobert, K.C.B., lieutenant-general in the
army; born 29th September, 1781; died 7th March, 1850, having
married, 25th December, 1817, Hon. Emily Stapleton, daughter of
Thomas Lord le Despencer ; she died 26th January, 1876, having had
six sons and three daughters.

Thomas, third Baron and second Earl of Longford (on the death of
his grandmother, Elizabeth Countess of Longford) ; born 14th May,
1774; died 24th May, 1838, having married, 23rd January, 1817, Lady
Georgiana Charlotte Lygon, fifth daughter of William, first Earl of
Beauchamp, and had seven sons and three daughters.

(1.) Edward Michael, third Earl, major 2nd Lifeguards ; born 30th
October, 1817 ; died unmarried 27th March, 1860.

(2.) William Lygon, fourth and present Earl; born 1819 ; succeeded
his brother 1860; married, 1862, the Hon. Selina, third daughter of
Greorge, third Lord Dynevol ; sits in the House of Lords as Lord Sil-
chester, U.K. (cr. 1821); educated at Winchester ; is Lord Lieutenant
and Custos Eot. of County Longford, a J.P. and D.L. for County
Westmeath, a general in the army, and hon. colonel 1st and 2nd Batts.
Northumberland Fusiliers ; was Under-Secretary of State for War,
1867-8, and formerly Adjutant-General to the Forces in the Crimea
and in India. He has three sons and two daughters. Pakenham Hall,

HISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 241

Castle Pollard, County Westmeath.; Carlton, "White's, and United
Service Clubs, S.W. ; 24 Bruton-street, London, "W.

Heir, his son Thomas, Lord Pakenham ; educated at Winchester,
and Christ Church, Oxford ; born 1864 ; succeeded to the title on death
of his father, in 1 888. — Authorities : Lodge, Foster, and "Waif ord's
" Peerages."

Descent of the Earls of Laneshorough (from Lodge's " Peerage"
Revised hy Mervin Archall, 1789).

Ulick Viscount G-alway married Frances, only daughter of Greorge
Lane, Lord Viscount Lanesborough (who died in August, 1684) and
sister to James Viscount Lanesborough (who died without issue the
same month in 1724), and by her (who in 1691 re-married with Henry
Fox, of East Horsley, in Surrey, Esq., and died in December, I7l3)
had an only daughter, who died an infant. — Vol. I., p. 138.

Dorcas, the second daughter of Sir Anthony Brabazon, in the
County of Louth, third Earl of Meath, was married 21st March, 1644, to
G-eorge Lane, created Viscount Lanesborough, Secretary of State, and
Privy Councillor to King Charles the II., Clerk of the Star Chamber,
Keeper of the Kecords in Birmingham Tower, and Secretary at War,
to whom she was first wife, and by him, who died 11th December 1683,
and was buried at Lanesborough, had two sons and two daughters —
James, born 7th December, 1646 ; Brabazon, baptized 10th February,
1647 ; Charlotte and Mary ; and deceasing 18th July, 1671, she was
buried in St. Catherine's Church. — Vol. I., p. 274.

Edmond Fitzmaurice, eleventh Earl of Kerry, is said to have a
daughter, Catherine, who was grandmother to Emelina or Amy,
daughter and heir to Cormac O'Farrell, who was married to Captain
•George Lane, and was mother of Sir Eichard Lane, of Tulske, Knight
and Baronet, who died 6th October, 1668, father of George, created
Viscount Lanesborough, by his first wife, Mabel, daughter and heir to
Gerald Fitzgerald, Esq., who died 10th November, 1680.— Vol. II.,
p. 190.

242 HISTORY OP 'M& COUNTY LONGFORD.

Butler, Earl of Lanesborough.

This noble family is descended from John Butler, of "Waresley, in
the County of Huntingdon, living there in 1376 (50 Edward III.), who
married Isolda, daughter and heir to William Gobyan, of "Waresley,
who by will, dated 19th April, 1371, gave all his lands there to his said
daughter, Isolda, and in 1376 bound himself to his son-in-law, John
Butler, and Isolda, his wife, in the sum of 20 marcs. He was succeeded
by his son John, who, marrying Elizabeth, daughter of Gonnell of
Croxton, in the County of Huntingdon, had issue Edward Butler, of
Stratford, near Baldock, in Bedfordshire, Esq., who married to his first
wife, Etheldred, daughter of Richard Pollard, by whom he had Gleorge,
his heir ; and secondly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir George Gascoigne,
of Cardington, in Bedfordshire, Recorder of Bedford, and by her he had
a daughter. Prances, married to Molyns of that county.

George Butler, Esq., who succeeded his father at Stratford, was
also of Fenny-Drayton, near St. Ives, in the County of Cambridge, and
of Tewing, or Tewingbury, in Hertfordshire, anno 1575; marrying
Dorothy, daughter of Stephen, and sister to Sir Stephen Beckingham,
of Toleshunt, Beckingham, in Essex. He had issue six sons and four
daughters : —

(1.) Beckingham Butler, of Tewing, Esq.

(2.) Sir Stephen, of Belturbet, in the County of Cavan, ancestor to
the Earl of Lanesborough.

Daughters : — Elizabeth, Etheldred, Mary, and Rose.

We shall now proceed with Sir Stephen Butler, of Belturbet,
Knight, ancestor to the Earl of Lanesborough. He removed into
Ireland in the reign of King James I., being an undertaker in the
plantation of the province of Ulster, which that King had greatly at
heart, and received a grant of 2,000 acres, called Clonose, in the County
of Cavan, upon which he erected a castle and bawn of great strength,

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOBT). 243

and in 1618 was able to arm 200 men witli very good arms, whicli he
had deposited in his castle, besides others dispersed to his tenants for
their security, having then upon his estate forty families, besides under-
tenants, who were able to make 135 armed men. And Sir Stephen,
with the undertakers of the precinct of Loghtee, being obliged, by their
conditions of plantation, to plant a town in Belturbet, for which they
were allowed 384 acres of land, and to build a church, Mr. Pynnar,
in his " Survey of Ulster," tells us there were built at that time thirty-
five houses, all inhabited with British tenants, most of whom were
tradesmen, each having a house and garden plot, with four acres of
land, and commons for great numbers of cattle.

He married Mary, younger daughter and co-heir to Gervais
Brindsley, of Brindsley, in the County of Nottingham, Esq., and by
his will, dated 8th September, 1638, ordered his body to be buried in
the Chancel of Belturbet Church, and dying 21st April, 1639, was
there interred, having issue by her, who re-married with Edward
Philpot, Esq., three sons and four daughters, all minors. — Vol. II., pp.
393, 394.

Francis Butler, of Belturbet, Esq., who succeeded his brother
Stephen, bore arms in the service of King Charles I. dunng the course
of the rebellion ; and with his said brother represented that borough
in the first Parliament after the Restoration, but became obnoxious to
King James II., and was involved in the Act of Attainder, 1689, having
his estate sequestered. He married Judith, daughter of Sir Theophilus
JoneSj of Osbertstown, in the County of Meath, Knight, Privy Coun-
cillor to King Charles 11., and dying at Belturbet, 16th August, 1702,
aged 68, was there buried, having five sons and five daughters.
Brinsley, the second Lord Newtown-Butler, succeeded Theophilus,
Lord Newtown, in 1711 ; in May, 1726, King Greorge II., on his acces-
sion, advanced him to the dignity of Viscount of Lanesborough.
Brinsley, the second Earl of Lanesborough, who was born 4th March,
1728, on the decease of his father succeeded to the honours, and took
the oaths and his seat in the House of Peers, 3rd May, 1768.

244 HISTORY 01* THE COUNTY LONGJPOED.

His lordship married, 26tli June, 1754, Jane, only daughter of
Robert, the first Earl of Belvidere, and deceasing 24th January 1779,
left issue two sons and six daughters.

Eobert Herbert, the third Earl of Lanesborough, was born 1st
August, 1759, succeeded his father, and took his seat in the House of
Peers, 8th August, 1780. His lordship married, 5th January, 1781,
Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the Right Honourable David Latouche,
of the city of Dublin, and by her ladyship, who deceased in London,
of a putrid fever, in September, 1788, had issue two sons, viz.,
Brinsley, Lord Newtown-Butler, born 22nd October, 1783; and David,
born 27th April, 1785.

Titles — Robert Herbert Butler, Earl and Viscount of Lanes-
borough, and Baron of Newtown-Butler.

Creations— Baron of Newtown-Butler, in the County of Ferma-
nagh, 21st October, 1715, 2 George I. ; Viscount of Lanesborough, in the
County of Longford, 12th August, 1728, 2 George II. ; and Earl of
Lanesborough, 20th July, 1756, 30 George 11.

Motto.—" Libert^ tout entiere "— " Perfect liberty."

So much for Lodge's " Peerage."

Annaly-^Pedigree of.

Luke White, Esq., M.P., who had acquired considerable wealth,
purchased Lord Carhampton's estate of Luttrelstown, and changed the
name of it to Woodlands. He married first Eliza Maziere, and had
four sons and three daughters.

I. Thomas, of Woodlands, J.P., High Sheriff, 1840 ; colonel. County
Militia ; married 31st August, 1819, the Hon. Julia Vereker, daughter
of Charles, second Viscount Gort, and died 4th May, 1847 ; his widow
died 14th February, 1866.

II. Samuel, of Killakee, Rathfarnham, County Dublin, lieutenant-
colonel, Dublin County Militia, M.P., County Leitrim, 1842-7; married
Salisbury Anne, daughter of General Rothe, Esq., of Mount Rothe,
County Kilkenny, and d. & p, 1854. His widow died .27tli Nov.,^ ISSD.

HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGf OBI). 245

' * III. Luke, of Rathcline, M.P., died iTnmarried, 1854.

IV. Henry, created first Baron, Annaly and Kathcline, County
Longford, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, 19th August, 1863 ;
died 3rd September, 1873, aged 83, having married 3rd October, 1828,
Ellen, daughter of William (Soper) Dempster, having had with other
issue two sons and two daughters.

1. Luhe, second and present Baron.

2. Hon. Charles William, Lord Lieutenant, County Clare ; M.P.,
County Tipperary, 1866-73, 1873-5 ; captain late Scots Guards ; born
9th September, 1838.

The Earls of Granard.

In pursuance of the King's Commission of January 29th, 1620, for
the "plantation" of Leitrim, Arthur Forbes, Master of the King's
Horse, did obtain for ever 500 acres of arable land and 670 acres of
wood and bog in the County of Leitrim ; and by a Commission bearing
date Sept. 20th, the year previous, he obtained 1,268 acres in the parish
of Clongish, County of Longford, the whole grant being erected into
the Manor of Castleforbes, with all the privileges then existing. All
these grants were confirmed to his son. Sir Arthur Forbes, in 1637, by
Charles I., and he was then created a baronet of Nova Scotia. Sir
Arthur de Forbes spent most of his life, after getting possession of
these estates, in foreign countries on active military duty, and was
seldom at home. He left the care of his lands to his wife. Lady Jane
Lauder, who appears to have been a woman of the most vigorous tempe-
rament. She succeeded, in 1624, in building the Castle of Forbes,
which was, as will be shown, subsequently burned down; and in 1641
she held the castle against the Irish troops of Colonel Owen Preston,
one of the four generals of the Irish Confederated Catholics. As history
explains, about that time a vigorous and determined effort was made by
the Catholics of Ireland to remedy their miserable condition ; and, in
order to give force to their demands, the Council of the Confederation,
which sat in Kilkenny, appointed four standing armies — one for each
province. And it was the Leinster army, under Preston, that entered

246 HISTORY OP THE OOTJNTT LONGFORD.

the County of Longford to dispossess the English garrisons. And they
did actually dispossess the garrison at that time occupying the Castle
of Longford ; for, on their refusal to surrender, it is recorded that the
Irish troops assaulted the castle, in which were quartered a com-
pany of English soldiers, and succeeded in capturing it and putting
the garrison to the sword, after which they sacked the town and
marched to Castle Forbes.

The latter, however, was far better protected than Longford Castle,
being surrounded by a good moat and rampart, and being defended by
some cannon. Defences are very good when a man's stomach is filled,
but in this case the canny Scots, who formed the garrison, had not the
wherewith to fill their stomachs, and after a valiant show of resistance
on the part of their female commander, they surrendered prisoners of
war, and were marched off as such by Colonel Preston to Trim, where
they were subsequently released, and whence Lady Jane went into
Scotland, where she died. Her husband. Sir Arthur de Forbes, was
shot in a duel in Hamburgh in 1632.

Sir Arthur Forbes, his son, was the first Earl of Grranard, and gained
his honours and titles as well by the force of his ambitious character,
as by the allegiance he displayed towards his English masters. In
1641, when only eighteen years of age, he raised a company of men
and marched to the relief of his mother, who was then besieged in
Castle Forbes, but failed to effect his object. He next crossed over
to Scotland, where Oliver Cromwell was beginning to shed the light of
his benign gospel, and here he displayed his loyalty to the English
Kings, Charles I. and Charles II., and was for it confined in Edinburgh
Castle for two years. In 1653 he, in conjunction with some other
Scottish loyal lords, attempted to raise a rebellion against the Common-
wealth, but was defeated by Greneral Monk; he then returned to
Ireland, where, in 1655, he resumed his Irish estates on terms made by
him whilst in Scotland with Monk, according to which he was to enjoy
his estates in Leitrim and Longford as heretofore.

On March 19th, 1660, Charles II. appointed Sir Arthur Forbes, one

HTSTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 249

of, the Commissioners of his Court of Claims, and in 1661, he was granted
the manor and lands of Mullingar for his loyal services to the king,
and also received another large slice of the County Longford. In
1663, being then in the north, he discovered what he deemed a great
plot against the Crown and Constitution, and immediately pitched upon
one Staples, M.P. for Strabane, as the chief conspirator, and had him
arrested and confined, through which valour he saved Ireland from a
rebellion, and did not fail to duly report same in the proper quarter.
Being remembered for this and, doubtless, similar acts, in 1670 he was
made a privy councillor and commander-in chief of the British army
in Ireland, receiving nearly £700 a year for the post, as well as £600
a year pension, which he enjoyed for certain seceet services rendered
to the English interests in unhappy Ireland. In 1671 he was a lord
justice of Ireland, and in 1672 was ordered to go to the king in England.
The Earl of Essex, then Lord Lieutenant, gave him several very
flattering letters of introduction, in which his usefulness to the Castle
is clearly set out. These letters from Lord Essex had, after some
time, the desired effect; and, after several journeys to England, and
being again a lord justice of Ireland in 1674, at length, in 1675,
he received his nobility from Charles II., creating him Baron Clane-
hugh and Yiscount G-ranard, of the County Longford. In 1676 his
ambition prompted him to lay claim, through a petition, to the lands of
Artain, in the County Dublin, but it was proved that they belonged to
another, and so his ambition was disappointed. In 1678 he disposed of
the remnants of a small estate of his in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and
purchased, in conjunction with one Colonel Alexander M'Donnal, the
Manor of Limerick, in County Leitrim, of which, in 1680, they made a
division. In the same year he received four other townlands to farm
in it. In 1684 he raised a regiment of infantry, called the 18th Foot,
and on November 29th was created Earl of Grranard, which completed
the goal of his ambition, and left him one of the most powerful men in
the kingdom at that day.

In 1685 the ill-fated and unfortunate James II., the champion of

250 HISTORY OF THE OODNTY LONGFOED.

Catholicity, and yet the cowardly monarcli who, by his pusillanimity,
lost his kingdom, came to the throne. He did not ask to disturb the
Earl of G-ranard from his high offices, but appointed him and the
Protestant Archbishop of Armagh lords justices of Ireland. As the
year advanced, however, James showed a disposition to confer on the
Catholics some of the ordinary civil rights which were so exclusively
possessed by the Protestants. Up to this no Catholic could sit on a
jury, possessed a vote at any election, or could hold any position of
trust or honour whatsoever, whether in the army or civil ranks. James,
who was a devout Catholic himself, wished to place them on an equal
footing with the Protestants, and in attempting to introduce this simple
measure of justice in 1685, he met with a most vigorous opposition
from all the Protestant Irish, and especially from Lord Granard, whom
he had appointed lord justice. It was in vain that James tried to show
him that he simply meant to do justice to the Catholic Irish ; Lord
G-ranard was not content. And so, in 1686, the king appointed a lord
lieutenant for Ireland, making Lord G-ranard president of the privy
council, having previously removed him from the command of the army,
to which post he had appointed the noble Duke of Tyrconnell. Lord
G-ranard refused the proffered post as an unprecedented office in the king-
dom, and in 1687 went over to England, where he died some years later.
Sir Arther Forbes, second Earl of G-ranard, succeeded to that title in
1696, being then exactly forty years of age. His life, previous to his
accession to the title, had been spent mostly in foreign countries, where
he served, it is said, with distinction in several wars, having taken part
against -the Turks in 1686, when they besieged Buda, and when, were
it not for the bravery of the ill-fated John Sobieski, King of the Poles,
Europe would have been overrun by them.

On his father resigning his command of the troop of infantry he
had raised, Lord Forbes, as he was called, was made colonel of the
regiment, and before he had been any time in this post he was made a
brigadier-general. In 1688 he was called upon by King James to
serve him with his regiment in England, which he prepared to do, and

HISTORY 0^ THE COUNTi' LONGFORD. 251

having sent portion of tlie troops over before him under the command
of his colonel and major, he was very much surprised to find the latter
coming back in a few days. They told him that the king had dismissed
them because they were Protestants, at which Lord Forbes became very
indignant ; and bringing them back, he reinstated them in the regiment.
When he arrived at head-quarters, King James sharply reprimanded
him for this, and Lord Forbes was on the point of resigning his regi-
ment, but was recalled by a remark of the king to a sense of his duty.

When pusillanimous King James at length fled from England without
even attempting to strike a blow for his crown, Lord Forbes gave up
his regiment, his command being thereupon handed over to his own
lieutenant-colonel, one of the Edge worth family.

Early in 1689 the Prince of Orange, suspecting that Lord Forbes
was a partisan to James, committed him to the Tower, where, after
spending nearly a year, he was released. Whilst imprisoned the king
made, it is said, several covert attempts to bribe him, but to no purpose.
In June, 1690, a rumour spread that the country was about being
invaded by the French, whereupon the king again committed Lord
Forbes to the Tower, from which, however, he was soon released on
bail. In February, 1695, he was once more, and for the last time,
committed to the Tower, in which he spent a year, through some con-
nexion with a conspiracy on the hfe of the king.

In 1698 he came back to Ireland, where he found his affairs in a
dreadful state of disorder through the mismanagement of a steward to
whom he had entrusted them. He set himself to the task of putting
them in order again, but only partially succeeded, and in the year 1717
he made them over to his eldest son, on condition that an annuity was
settled on him, on which he retired to private life in the suburbs of
Dublin until 1734, when he died and was interred in the family burying-
ground at Newtownforbes. He had been Lord Lieutenant- of the
County Longford from 1715, but took no part in the affairs of the
county after he had made over his estates to his son.

Sir Greorge Forbes, third Earl of Granard, was what is commonly

252 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

known as a great man ; and few political intrigues in the world of his
day went on without his acquaintance. He was born in 1685, and com-
menced life as a midshipman on board one of his majesty's ships. In
this service he was present at several battles, at one of which his brother
was killed and he himself promoted for gallantry. Time progressed.
The wars of the Continent during Anne and George the First's time
took place, in which Lord Forbes took part in Spain with the English
army. In 1736 he became Earl of Grranard, after which he was made
Minister to Eussia, and in this capacity, which is represented to have
been one of considerable difficulty, he acquitted himself as only an Irish-
man can, being always polite and deferential to all those he came in
contact with. Having in the latter end of his days become eccentric,
and, at the same time, disgusted with the disgraceful traitorism at that
time a peculiar characteristic of the English Parliament, he retired from
public life altogether, and became a student of classical works until his
death, which took place in 1765. He was interred at the old Clongish
graveyard. His son, Sir Greorge Forbes, who was an army officer of
considerable repute, succeeded him, having been born in 1710, and died
in 1769, of a sudden attack of scorbutic humour. He had been
appointed lord lieutenant of the county in 1756, and this post was con-
ferred on his son, Sir George Forbes, fifth Earl of Granard, imme-
diately on the death of his father. The fifth Earl was born in 1740,
and in 1772 was appointed a member of the Privy Council in Ireland.
He was twice married, but does not seem to have been in any higher
position than lieutenant in the army previous to his accession to the
title. He died in 1780, leaving the title to his son, Sir George Forbes,
who became sixth Earl of Granard on 15th April, 1780, and who took
part in the rebellion of 1798, being present at the " Races of Castlebar "
with the Longford Militia, who deserted him and went over to the side
of their country. It is said that Lord Granard on this occasion endea-
voured with all his might to rally his troops, but failed to do so. He
subsequently took part in the engagement at Ballinamuck, and for his
activity against the rebels is " honourably referred to " in the " Memoirs

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOEJD. 253

at Lord Oornwallis." He had a son called Lord Forbes, whose name
during the troubled days prior to the Catholic Emancipation Act being
passed, was a terror to the poor peasants of the county, whom he mer-
cilessly rode over and hunted down when any chance to do so was
given him. He died in 1836, a year before his own father, and so the
estates went into Chancery until the coming of age of the late earl, who
succeeded to the title in 1854, and died in 1889.

The present Earl is a minor, aged about fourteen years.

PART III.

RAMBLES THROUGH LONGFORD.
"We will next read a chapter on the ancient legends and stories told
in the different parishes of the county. Nothing, I am certain, reflects
so truly the National character as the aptitude of our peasantry for
relating at each fireside on winter nights the " Seanachus," in which
the glorious traditions of mother Erin find so prominent a place. There
are few parishes in Ireland in which there are not numbers of haunted
places, where the ghosts of the restless dead appear at stated times to
remind the unwary of the end of us all. In addition to ghost stories,
there is a never-failing supply of stories of the " good people," and the
numerous forts or raths scattered about Longford give quite as much
food to its people on this matter as there is to be found elsewhere. I
do not think it necessary to print these stories. In fact, although the
matter that follows is largely a re-print of what I published in August,
1886, I am sure the reader will easily observe that a considerable
number of the stories have been omitted. Such has been done because
I found so much divergence of opinion on these stories, that I deemed
them better omitted altogether. We will commence our ramble in the

254 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOEC.

north, and travel southwards. If the reader takes the trouble to refer
to the plates of any of the old buildings met with in his rambles, it
will greatly assist him to understand, the importance of the places he
visits ; and now to begin.

GrBANAED.

There is no place in the County Longford possesses so much interest
for the antiquarian stiident as the neighbourhood of Glranard. In fact,
in the old pagan days of our country, and up to 1315, G-ranard was the
only capital of the County Longford, if we are to understand by that
the ancient kingdom of Annaly. The word " Glranard " was supposed
by the learned Dr. O'Connor to be derived from the two Celtic words,
" Grain," the sun, and " ard," a high place or hill ; so that the proper
meaning of the word "Grranard" would seem to be "the Hill of the
Sun." The reason this name was given to the town would appear to
be, that in the early ages of the population of Ireland the people were
sun and fire worshippers — that is, they worshipped these things as a
deity, potent to relieve them from troubles, and to afford them safety
in dangers. It is also said that they worshipped the moon and stars.
It is thought that this worship prevailed amongst our pagan forefathers,
just as amongst the Aztecs in the days of Montezuma. The usual place
from which the people prayed to the sun was off a high hill or emi-
nence. At the foot of this hill they stood in a circle, whilst the Druids
ascended and offered sacrifice to their deities. Now, Grranard is very
favourably situated for such worship. On the one side they had the
Hill of Grranardkill and the Moat of Q-ranard ; and on the other side
they had the Hill of Carragh, which commands a view of the whole
county. An old bard, who sung of the Kings of Conmacne, describes,
in the peculiar weirdly-thrilling chant of his profession, the " glories
and magnificence " of Grranard in these old days. The Glranard of to-
day is not the actual site of old Grranard, which was built about half
a mile from the present town, in a somewhat western direction. This
old town was destroyed by Edward Bruce, in Ids march towards Dublin,
in 1315, having been, it is told, up to then, the residence of King Con

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 255

0'Farrell, of Annaly, who lived here in royal splendour at the time.
Its destruction is described a little further on. Mr. O'Donovan thinks
that the correct interpretation of Grranard is, the Ugly Height, from the
fact that when the father of a king named Carbre was getting it built,
he called it an Ugly Height, or, in Irish, i^^, j^aiia, ajto, 6, meaning, '' it is
uglily high." Another derivation Mr. O'Donovan gives is, Gran-ard —
meaning Grainhill, which, he says, would go to prove that there was a
great deal of cultivation here for a long period. He subsequently says
that the Moat of Granard, or Slieve Cairbhre, in the north, and the
River Eithne, or Inny, in the south, were anciently the boundaries of
Annaly. Carbre, who gave his name to Slieve-Carbrey, was the eigh-
teenth in descent from O'Catharnaigh, who was progenitor of many
families in ancient Teffia, or Meath, including the Foxes, O'Quinns,
Carneys, Careys, &c. It is related in Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum," in
reference to this Carbrey, that when St. Patrick reached Granard on
his apostohc mission, where King Carbre lived at his fortification — the
Moat — this monarch refused to listen to his teaching ; and some of
his chieftains in the then fertile plains of Ballinamuck presented the
Apostle with a hound dressed for dinner. The saint, naturally moved
with anger at such treatment, pronounced a malediction on the sons of
Cairbre, as well as on the land of the place he was in ; and, as a result
of this malediction, the land became barren, and misfortunes came
on the line of Cairbre, from whose race the sceptre passed away. Sub-
sequently, it is said, that his sons received the saint with all honour,
and presented to him the beautiful place of Granard. There is another
version also given in reference to the cursing of Cairbre, which the
following note, taken from the life of St. Patrick, will explain : — " Cap.
iv.. Part ii. — But on the first day of the week, Patrick came to Taelton,
in the County Westmeath, where the royal fair and public games and
exercises of the kingdom used to be held yearly ; and there he met
Carbreus, the son of Niall, and brother of King Laogarious, and like
his brother in ferocity of mind and cruelty. When Patrick preached
the word of life to him, and pointed out the way of salvation, the man

256 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD,

of adamantine lieart not only refused to believe the preached truth, but
laid projects for the death of him who was propounding the way of
life, and caused the companions of the holy man to be scourged in a
neighbouring river, called Sele, because Patrick called him the enemy
of Grod. ' Then the man of God, seeing that the man was of inveterate
mind and reproved by. Grod, says to him : — ' Because you have resisted
the doctrine of the Heavenly King, and refused to carry His sweet yoke,
neither shall kings nor the pledges of the kingdom rise up from your
stock ; but your seed shall obey the seed of your brethren for ever ;
nor shall the neigbouring river, in which you have whipped my com-
panions, although now it abounds in fishes, ever produce any fishes.' "

These two versions of the same story differ a little as to locality,
cause, and effect ; but it is certain that St. Patrick did visit Granard on
his first apostolic mission and tour of Ireland, because the old town
was a place of great natural strength, as well as being an important
town in the kingdom in those days.

The Moat of Granard is well known as being one of the largest and
oldest of its kind in Ireland. It seems to have been originally cut out
of a large hill, because it is situated in such a position that the hands of
man could not possibly have framed it. The approach to it is steep,
and the visitor comes to a fosse, or trench, which surrounds it, before
he can approach the side ; after this the ascent has to be made in a zig-
zag direction, in order to avoid the dangers of a sudden fall; and
when we come to the top we find a level and partly hollowed surface,
wide enough to support a large body of troops, and partly protected
in several places by the remains of what formed the rampart of the
original fortification. Mr. O'Donovan says that he was told that an
old castle existed inside the moat, to which there was a secret entrance ;
and that the Tuites and Daltons built it as a protection against the
attacks of The O'Farrell in the 13th century ; but he thinks it was a
storehouse for grain in the days of King Carbre. It is mentioned in
the Annals of the Four Masters under dates — 236, 476, 765, 1069,
1272, 1275, 1475, 1586. But the events which took place at these dates

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD 259

were merely nominal ; and it will here serve my purpose just as well
to mention them to show the exact amount of importance attached to
this old and venerable structure, which I believe can compete with any
in Ireland for its antiquity and size. It is not so long since I was upon
its top, from whence I could discern the spire of Longford Cathedral,
twelve miles away ; Lough Sheelan, in Westmeath ; and Lough
Grownagh, stretching away into the County Cavan.

We have referred to the destruction of Old Cranard. King Con
O'Farrell was a brave soldier, and renowned for the glory of his
military exploits. When Edward Bruce landed at Carrickfergus, a
number of the native chieftains flocked to his standard ; but a number
stayed away also, mainly because they were jealous that a foreigner,
as they unfortunately looked on him, should come to rule over them.
Amongst those was the King of Upper Annaly (so called by O'Connor;
O 'Donovan calls it North Teffia) — perhaps prince would be the better
title to give him; he had also another motive in absenting himself,
which was, that a neighbouring chieftain, with whom he was at feud,
was one of Bruce's strongest adherents. Bruce, as the reader of history
knows, first tried to approach Dublin by Drogheda, but subsequently
had to fall back on the approach of the Saxon troops. He then deter-
mined to go by the midland route, and did penetrate as far as Lough
Owel, in Westmeath, in the year 1315, when the severity of the winter
compelled him to go into quarters. He had previously been refused
admission into Old Granard by Prince Con, who proudly refused to
surrender when called upon to do so ; and so returning, when he saw
further progress was impracticable, he hurled his whole force against
the gates of G-ranard, so that for two days an awful carnage reigned,
until the living made a road of the bodies of the dead ; after which
Bruce's superiority in numbers prevailed, and Grranard, the erection of
thirteen centuries, was taken, and was subsequently levelled to the
ground by Bruce before he left the spot.

Many old thrilling tales are told of the days when the head of the
O'Farrells ruled in royal state in Granard. Thus, it is told of one

y

260 HtSTORT OF THE COtJNTT LONCTFOUt).

monarch., named Congal, that his wife, the most beautiful woman in
Leinster, was smitten down in child-birth, her demise being so sudden
that Congal accused his chief Druid of using some sacred rites to
destroy her. It was in vain that the latter protested his utter innocence.
The king's ire was raised, and he ordered his execution after one year
from the time of his wife's death. In the meantime he shut himself up
in his palace, and refused to let anyone even see his face, at which bis
subjects were very much troubled. The end of the year was drawing
nigh, and the chief Druid's day of doom was surely coming. At length
his daughter prevailed on him to allow her to intercede with the king for
pardon ; and her father consented, believing that, like all his subjects,
she could not see the face of her monarch. The maiden, however,
disguised herself as a servant, and hung continuously about the royal
entrance. In the end her patience was rewarded. One day the king
asked for a drink of pure water, which the Druid's daughter imme-
diately fetched to him, and on entering into his presence, fell on her
knees and implored the pardon of her father. The king was struck
with her singular beauty, which attracted his attention immediately,
and he told her that if she attended him every day for twelve days he
would give her a decisive answer. Bach day, accordingly, she brought
him the same drink, and at the end of the twelfth day he not only
granted her request, but asked her to take the place of the wife he had
lost. This request, according to the laws of the country, she could not
accede to, nor could he marry one beneath him in station without the
consent of his people, which they refused to him, nor could all his arts
persuade them. At length he abdicated his throne, and allowed his
son to reign in his stead, in order that he might enjoy a peaceful life
with the object of his sudden affection.

On another occasion, a King of Annaly, having married a wife
whom his brother had previously loved vainly, incurred the mortal
hatred of the latter. He collected a large force of the enemies of the
fortunate monarch, and one night treacherously surprised the town,
putting every man in the king's service, himself and his wife ta a cruel

HISTORY OP THB COUNTY LONGFORD, 261

death. He then set himself up as king ; but the kingdom that had
formerly been a model of peace, was now a den of disorder and
debauchery. Meantime, Nemesis was approaching in the person of the
lawful son of his murdered brother, who, on the night of the massacre,
was saved by his nurse, and had since been reared at the house of
O'Rorke, in Breffni. Twenty years passed away, and he grew to man's
estate, and then, swooping down like the tiger on his prey, he hurled
the usurper and his disorderly crew from their ill-gotten possessions,
and, ascending the throne himself, commenced a reign which, for pros-
perity and happiness, exceeded any ever known in the kingdom.

So much for the old traditions ; now for a few modern stories.

Of late years the story of the headless horseman occupied a great deal
of attention in Granard, where it was almost universally believed that each
night a man rode through the streets of Granard on a headless horse,
himself being also headless. This story arose from a very singular
and unexplained suicide, which occurred in the barracks of Granard
during the early years of the eighteenth century. Almost the very
first regiment quartered there was one of the most ungovernable corps
in the British service. Its captain, one Blundell by name, in dress,
manners, sporting propensities, and general recklessness, was the cream
of the service. One night a great ball was given in Granard by the
officers, at which he was the leading figure ; and the next morning, not
having turned up at the usual hour, his room was broken open, and he
was found lying dead upon the floor, his head being severed from his
body. No one could have committed the act, because the captain's
door was closed on the inside, and his window barred on the outside.
Neither could any motive be ascribed for it; and the matter has
remained a mystery ever since, giving rise to the weird story of the
headless horseman and his midnight rides. Granard, from its very
antiquity, is naturally the spot from which one would expect to hear
such stories. I am sure that, could the treasures buried in the ruins
of Old Granard be dug up, a fund of fireside lore sufficient to make
many volumes would be the result, But, alas ! man is made of dust,

262 HISTORY OP THE OOUNTT LONGFORD.

and into dust nnist return ; and whether it be on stone or parchment
that man's acts are written, they are equally liable, as he is himself, to
temporal decay. Granard was the scene of very active work during
the Rebellion of 1798, and here were enacted some of the most bloody
deeds history can record. I have given a history of the momentous
battle which took place at Ballinamuck, in 1798, taken from the Corn-
wallis Correspondence. Dark, cruel, and dreadful as were the scenes
that took place at Ballinamuck, they were but mere play towards the
treatment meted out to the "rebels" in Granard. Thither a small
band of the County Longford insurgents, under the command of
Deniston, of Clonbroney, O'Keeffe, of Prospect, and Pat Farrell, of
Ballinree, " the biggest man in the county," had retreated after the
affair at Ballinamuck. Above all other places in the country, there is
none so well adapted, in every sense of the word, to warfare as the
town and neighbourhood of Granard. The town is almost surrounded
on all sides by hills, and on the moat alone a thousand men could keep
a hundred thousand in check, such are the facilities for defence. The
approaches to it, too, are hilly and inaccessible ; and so we can well
vinderstand that, under the command of an able and skilled general, a
small force could keep a much larger one at bay for long enough.

As I have said, to Granard went Farrell, Deniston and O'Keeffe, with
a small force of men, after the route at Ballinamuck. They found, on
their arrival, the whole place in a state of confusion and uproar. People
were running hither and thither in the wildest confusion, because every
minute Lake and his bloodstained soldiers were expected from Ballina-
lee, whilst another squad was said to be on the march from Cavan. The
appearance, therefore, of the three local and well-known leaders, with
even a small body of men, was hailed with triumphant shouts, and
immediately a council of war was held, at which it was unanimously
resolved to make a bold stand for liberty, and to defend Granard.
Scouts were at once posted on the moat and Granard Kil to watch the
approach of the enemy, whilst all the entrances to the town were bar-
ricader). To O'Farrell fell the lot to defend the Finea entrance, to

HISTOBT OP THE COTJNTT LONGFORD. 263

Deniston the Ballinamuck, and to the approacli from Ballinalee the
command was given to O'Keefe. The first to appear in sight were the
Finea troops under the command of the famous Hepenstal, who had
specially gone to Cavan to bring them up in hot haste. O'Farrell was
a very tall man, fully seven feet high, with immense breadth of chest
and strength of muscle, and during the struggle between both parties
it is said the giants met, and O'Farrell, with one ponderous blow of his
broken sword-hilt, put Hepenstal hors de combat, and his ragged mob
of yeomen' soon after took to flight. Almost before a pursuit could be
made, a messenger arrived from Deniston, to inform him that a large
force of the enemy were approaching from Ballinamuck. The brave
man at once recalled his pursuing followers, and collected all his forces
to oppose the entry of Lake's men into Grranard. The three batches
were massed on the Barrack Gate road, where a short, desperate engage-
ment took place. By word and act Pat Farrell did all that a brave man
could do to animate his sadly-thinned little force ; and in this he was
ably seconded by O'Keefe and Deniston. Here, there, everywhere he
ran ; now striking a blow, now parrying one, and again dashing for-
ward into the very thick of the conflict. In the middle of the combat
— luckless misfortune — Hepenstal and his Finea yeomen 'returned to
the fight, and finding no opposition to their entry, soon attacked the
now jaded Irishmen in the rere. In trying to extricate his force and
Deniston's, the two friends became separated. Eound Deniston gathered
Hepenstal and his F'inea militia, whilst O'Farrell was cut off by the
• Ballinamuck yeomen. Like an enrage^d tiger, the latter turned in his
saddle to relieve Deniston, when a bullet from .Hepenstal pierced his
heart, and he fell to rise no more. Deniston managed to catch his
horse as he was dashing away, and endeavoured with might and main
to retrieve the fortunes of the day. But the fall of Pat Farrell had
already decided it, and it was no longer a question of fight, but a
question of how best to retreat. In this attempt the insurgents were
captured in dozens, and Deniston, seeing that to remain were worse
than madness, whispered to O'Keefe to mount behind him, and they

264 HISTOET OV THE OOITNTT LONGPOBD,

would make a bold dash for freedom. O'Keefe had been fighting all
through like a valiant soldier ; and he and Deniston escaped in safety,
but were outlawed for three years afterwards, until a general pardon
was proclaimed, when both men returned to their homes, only to find
that the hand of the despoiler had filched from them their lawful pos-
sessions, to which they were never restored.- The same night Pat
Parrell's mare, Bonnie Bess, galloped home to his house at Ballinree
riderless, and conveyed to his sorrowing family the sad tidings that
Grranard was lost, and Pat Farrell had died a patriot's death;

But the darkest scene in this melancholy battle had yet to be enacted,
namely, the executions. As I said before, the effort to make a retreat
had resulted in the capture of the rebels in dozens. These poor men
— most of them country farmers and labourers — -were tied hand and
foot, and thrown for a whole night on the streets of Grranard, guarded
by a strong batch of yeomen. In the morning a number of yeomen,
who had been sent out during the night to gather cattle for provisions,
arrived with a drove of fat bullocks, and without any ceremony they
drove this herd over the fallen, prostrate Irish, until they trampled the
very life out of them ; and such of them as showed any signs of anima-
tion after this brutal treatment, were given over to the tender mercies
of Hepenstal, who swung them out of existence as fast as they were
handed to him. History does not record this horrible British cruelty,
neither does the historian who composed or compiled the Cornwallis
Correspondence ; but tradition, the unwritten history of every nation,
does ; and it is well known that the whole incidents of the battle have
been carefully suppressed in order to hide these facts. More than once
have I seen references made to the cruelty of the British troops in
foreign countries ; but if they could be so cruel at home in Ireland,
what must they not be away ! Doubtless, Hepenstal may have insti-
gated the commission of this wholesale sacrifice, though that is scarcely
likely, seeing he was so fond of acting the hangman himself. A fearful
fate overtook this Hepenstal afterwards ; for we are told, in a book
called "The Informers of '98," that he was seized with morbus pedicu-

HISTOET OP THE COTjNTY LONGFOED. 265

iaris, witli -wliicli disease liis body "was devoured by vermin, and he died
after twenty-one days in great agony. He is said to be interred in
St. Mictan's Churchyard, in Dublin.

Grranard, since '98, has been a comparatively quiet and easy-going
sort of place, but has managed to keep up in the race with the rest of
Ireland, whether in political or commercial matters. The accession of
the town within the past few years to corporate dignity, is in itself
a proof of its increasing prosperity ; and whilst there are few places
more worthy of the attention of the antiquarian or the poet than
Grranard and its moat, I regret to say that very few people, even in the
place itself, seem to care for its ancient glory. Many respectable
families live in its neighbourhood. The Eeillys and O'Reillys, of East
Breiffny, or Cavan, form a strong element here too, and are mentioned
to the number of sixty-two as living in Grranard Barony in the year
1659. There is no doubt that this parish was considered in olden days
the central parish of Ireland, and that much importance was attached
to it by the English of Meath and Leinster. A very well preserved
Druidio circle is found near Springtown, within a mile of Granard.

DeOMAED — AbBETLAEA — COLUMBKILLE.

I must confess my utter inability to give anything like a connected
nairative of the history of these parishes. They formed part of the
kingdom of King Lagaorius, the son of Niall, the father of Carbry, who
reigned at Grranard when St. Patrick visited it, and, beyond that, history
tells us Little or nothing about them, except that Lough Gowna was
invaded by the Danes in 800 a.v., and that there was in the parish of
Columbkille a castle on the townland of Rossduff, the ruins of which
now form a piggery.

In the parish of Abbeylara, in the townland of Rathbracken, there
is a ciu-ious and very ancient well, which is said to be the fountain
spring of the great Lough Growna. It is called by the name of Tobhar
Gramnha, or the Well of the Calf; and, in the year 1837, an old man in

266 HIST0E7 or the county LONGFORD,

the parish, then nearly one hundred years of age, named Farrell Linchy,
told the late Mr. O'Donovan that, in the real old times, a well existed
here, which was considered to be very holy and possessed of great
healing powers. One day a woman in the neighbourhood washed a lot
of dirty clothes in the well ; and, ere she had done, a large calf came
up out of the bottom, who ran off in a zig-zag direction from the place,
and who was followed by a gurgling stream, which ran into a valley
and formed the Lake Gownagh to-day. In the middle of the lake is
the Island of Inohmore, on which stands the ruins of Inismore Abbey.
Some time ago these ruins were strewn over with skulls and fragments
of bones ; and people used to come long distances and drink the water
of a neighbouring holy well from the skulls to cure diseases in the
head. This custom has now died away ; but there was a stone here,
which was called St. Oolumb's stone, and in which there were the marks
of his hand and two knees. From the little cavity so made, people
were in the habit of drinking the water for pains and headaches, when
any was collected in it. In the townland of Ballybay, very close to
the boundary of Abbeylara with the parish of Granard, Mr. 'Donovan
found, in the year 1837, the sacred well of Tober-reendonny, or, as he
translated it, the Well of the King of Sunday. This is a very ancient
well, covered with bushes and brambles, which grew at the foot
of two large trees, at the edge of the fountain. In old times no
animal dare drink of its waters save man ; and on one occasion,
when the people thought they could draw water from it for their
cattle, and wash clothes in it, the cattle died, and the clothes refused
to dry, despite all their endeavours. Mr. O'Donovan considered that
this was a pagan well, in the dark days of Irish paganism, and
its name was never changed, fearing the change would affect the
inhabitants' veneration for the first principles of Christianity. He also
inferred that there was a sacred well near the Abbey of Lerha, which
was called the Well of the Saintesses, from which he thinks that a
nunnery existed there very early in the days of St. Patrick. In a
letter to a friend, which I have seen, he tells him that the present

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 269

patron saint of the parish of Abbeylara is St. Bernard, but that the
oldest inhabitants always venerated St. Kieran, the first Bishop of
Clonmacnoise. It is said that there was an old castle, the ancient
property of the OTarrells, near the Abbey of Lerha, where the sons of
Iriall OTarrell lived after their split with the head clans, in 1445. In
the year 1478, Melaghlin, son of Hugh Boy MacGheoghagan, Lord of
Kinel Fiachra, came to visit the sons of Iriel, at their castle of
Lerha ; and during the night, whilst Hugh Boy was asleep, three of
his attendants fell upon and murdered him in his sleep. They were
arrested the next morning, and the crime was considered so inhuman
that they were burned to death for it.

Columbkille parish is named after the celebrated Saint Columb, who
was said to have lived at one time at Inchmore, and to have made
numberless prophecies about the fate and destiny of this country and
the world. During the late French war, when people's minds were
somewhat excited about events passing round them, a curious pheno-
menon was witnessed in many parts of Ireland, when, during a fine
summer's night, the sky appeared blood red. A great many people
thereupon declared that this phenomenon, which was nothing more or
less than a phase of the aurora borealis, was prophesied by St. Columb-
kille to be the forerunner of dire misfortune to the Irish race ; and so
alarmed did some people become over it, that the clergy had to inter-
vene to allay the general clamour.

Ballinamuok and Deumlish.
The word " Ballinamuck " is derived from " Beal-aith-na-muic,"
which means, " The Mouth of the Ford of the Pig," the pig here referred
to being no other than the celebrated black pig which rooted up the
Danes' Cast in Armagh, and came as far as Ballinamuck, making
her famous trench until she arrived at the Ford of Lough Gaun,
where a man knocked her on the head with a blow of a stone
and put an end to her rooting. The hollow trench extending
from Ballinamuck to Lough Gowna, and said to have been formed by

270 HISTOEY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

this pig, was at one time recognised as the barrier between Ulster and
Leinster, and subsequently the barrier between BreifEny and Annaly.
The Danes' Cast in Armagh here referred to was a celebrated line of
fortifications which extended from near the city to the old ruins of
Bmania — the residence of the ancient kings of Ulster. The fabulous
black pig was supposed to have commenced her operations here, and
rooted onwards until she came to Lough Gownagh, where she was
killed by a man who had been born predestined to destroy her. The
course of her peregrinations was naarked by a deep valley, which is
plainly traceable from this place to Armagh.

In 1848 the landlords made a desperate effort to depopulate this
locality. Such indeed was the venom with which the King-Harman
family set about this monstrous task, that the tenants, bad and all as
they were with the pangs of hunger, rose up en masse, and every attempt
at eviction was a bloody massacre, in which the tenants fought wildly
and madly for their homesteads ; and many of them were sent to their
last account by the use of the rifle. The fearful sacrifice of life con-
siderably subdued them, and their vengeance then took the form of mid-
night attacks on the " planted " families, during which several of them
were killed, and one whole family wiped out. A strong police barracks,
loop-holed for musketry fire, was then erected by the Harman family,
which is the martial-looking building I have referred to at the com-
mencement of this chapter. But after all these determined attempts
to exterminate the people, it is gratifying to know that they are still
"to the front," and that there are few better men in the county than in
this same Ballinamuck.

Drumlish, which is the southern end of the joint parish, extends
from the eastern side of the parish of Clongish to a short distance
beyond the village of Drumlish, a view of which I give. To say that
this portion of the County Longford has anything about it either
interesting or uncommonly fertile, would not be to speak the truth, for,
as a matter of notoriety, the inhabitants of it are hewers of wood and
drawers of water on the worst land in Ireland. Seen as I saw it, in the

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOKD. 271

dull, drear aspect of a December morning, it was incomparably the
"wildest-looking part of tlie County Longford. But wild-looking and
barren though, it is and was, yet it has produced a class of men com-
pared to whom many in the county are, for endurance, long-suffering,
and privation generally, but children. Living, as they are, on the worst
of land, their lives but one continual struggle to eke out an existence,
either in the bogs, or the wet, heavy, unproductive upland, it would be
at all no wonder if some of them " fainted by the wayside." But still
they fight on the battle of life, and when a manly, bold, determined
stand has to be taken, no men step into the gap so readily and fear-
lessly, as the following anecdote will show : —

On January 12th, 1881, a very unwelcome visitor indeed was ushered
into the village of Drumlish, surrounded by a posse comitatus of con-
stabulary, who were designed to be his protectors. This was the bailiff,
who came to serve processes for rents which the people of Drumlish
were unable to pay, at the behest of his employer, the Earl of G-ranard..
Now, at this very time the Land League agitation was in the zenith of
its prosperity ; and if a messenger from the lower regions were sent to
those poor people, he would have been more welcome to them than was
this individual. They regarded him in the same light as does the victim
about to be executed regard the hangman, and so they might, for as the
latter takes away the life of the former by the halter, or some other
fearful instrument of his callmg, the process-server, ever odious to the
Irish people, takes from them their life when he bids them quit the
homesteads where they were born. It was no wonder, then, that the
people of Drumlish and Ballinamuck prepared to resist the approach
of the process-server to take the bread from the mouths of their families,
when it is considered that for seven months of the previous year they
had been supported on alms, collected for them by their priests, to
sustain them during the terrible distress that prevailed in the year 1880
in Ireland. During that period the reverend and zealous parish priest,
whom God, as if by a special mercy, had placed over the people, found
it on more than one occasion necessary for him to call upon the public

272 HTSTOEY OP THE OOTINTT LONGFORD.

in their charity to prevent famine killing numbers of his flock. In one
of these appeals he pithily described the condition of his poor people as
follows : —

" There are many houses in this parish at present in which the
last pound of meal has been consumed; the, last bed-covering worth a
shilling has been deposited in the pawn-office ; and the last fire of turf
collected from the saturated heap on the bog has died away upon the
hearth, the last dying embers being the livid emblem of that death
from starvation which is already creeping in upon the threshold. It
is with a view to avert such a calamity that I am reluctantly con-
strained to ask support for these people."

Such was the condition of the people of Drumlish ; and but for the
exertions of their priests to ward off famine, they would have fared
badly. Scarcely, however, had famine been put from their door, when
a new danger cropped up to confront thenj in the person of the
process-server. They were just after storing the result of their harvest
— the result, after Grod's blessing, of their own hard work. But to be
compelled now to pay a rackrent was unbearable, and so, with one
accord, they resolved to resist the process-server's intrusion. The
latter was to serve the processes on the 12th inst., and in order to
be prepared for him before the morning's sun had risen, the Land
League drums were being beaten on the streets of Drumlish, and the
ringing of the chapel bell announced that something dire in its con-
sequences to the people was about to occur. To the crowd which the
noise soon collected, the cry of " the process-server is coming " was an
all-sufficient notice — too well did most of them know its meaning — and,
with one accord, every man vowed he would assist his neighbour to
resist the invasion. At ten o'clock in the forenoon a vast crowd had
assembled on the road leading to Newtownforbes, on which, in a short
time, they saw the unwelcome visitor approaching, surrounded by a
small force of Royal Irish Constabulary. The latter were unprepared
to meet such a large crowd, and fixed their bayonets when approach-
ing, until they were stopped in their march by these instruments of

HISTORY OF THE OOUNTT LONGFORD. 273

•death toucliiiig tlie breasts of some of the stalwart men who formed the
advanced guard of the contingents. The latter, however, never
flinched, but shouted defiantly that " not a process they would allow to
be served." The process-server cried out that he had no processes for
them ; but, not believing him, they demanded why he came there if
he had not ? After some parley, however, they let the police and their
protege get into the barrack. Immediately a telegram conveying news
of the resistance was flashed into L ongf ord, whereupon all the available
police there hurried off to the scene of the row, in charge of the kind
and humane Resident Magistrate of Longford at the time, H. W.
Rogers, Esq. The police were in charge of District Inspector Home.
Immediately on their arrival a hollow sqiiare was formed, in the centre
of which was placed the unlucky process-server, who was fairly shivering
in his clothes with fright. The whole force then marched to the house
of a man named Rogers, who was the first on the list of intended
victims ; but the crowd dashed on ahead of them, and surrounded the
house in so complete a manner, that the police could not even get into
a small field in front of the house. Here were three thousand deter-
mined men, armed with sticks, stones, scythes, &c., who defied the
poHce to get near the house they wanted. In vain the magistrate cursed,
raved, and swore at them ; in vain he read the Riot Act ; in vain
he lathered them with soft soap — all was useless ; for the sturdy
defenders refused to budge one inch. The latter received fresh
encouragement every minute, for from all directions, across hedges and
ditches, came running men and women, armed with every available
weapon. It was, therefore, useless to attempt to serve any processes
that day ; and after a consultation, the magistrate and his forces deter-
mined to retreat to Drumlish and await further reinforcements. The
retreat was not as pleasant, however, as they would wish, for they were
followed by a mocking crowd, who mercilessly pelted the jackdaw
process-server with jeering remarks the reverse of complimentary to his
personality. The magistrate, however, warned the people that he would
return next day and complete his work. To this they replied that they

274 nisTORT OF the county LONGFOED.

would meet "force with force;" and they prepared to carry out their
promise. During that night horsemen were sent in various directions
to summon forces to repel the invaders ; chapel bells rung, and drums
beat the whole live-long night, and the result was that by morning's
dawn 20,000 men had been drawn together about the village of Drum-
lish. In the meantime the landlord element had not been idle, and, by
permission of the Grovernment, one troop of cavalry, three companies
of infantry, and ] 20 police, were placed at Lord Grranard's disposal to
assist him in insisting on his legal right.

But what a strange sight met these soldiers' eyes on the morning
of the 13th January, 1881. Far as their eyes could reach were to be
seen men with deep-knit brows and flashing eyes, in whose hands were
grasped the ever handy lay, the scythe, the blackthorn, billhook, &c.,
&c. These brawny, sinewy, determined men sent up a chorus of
defiance as the long file of infantry and cavalry approached them, and
formed into line for forcing their way through the dense mass that
choked up the road. The whole military and police force — I should
have mentioned that the latter had arrived in the village mostly during
the night of the 12th — was under the supreme control of Mr. Rogers,
mentioned above. This gentleman had some experience of battles in
India ; and, well knowing the fearful carnage that would result that
day from the loss of a drop of blood in Drumlish, hesitated before
resorting to extreme measures. One of his first acts was to address the
people at some length, pointing out to them the folly of resisting the
law, and asking them, for Grod's and their own sake, not to force him to
use the power vested in his hands. The people were somewhat
mollified by his kindness, and even cheered him, I am told ; but they
refused to leave the way unless a promise would be given that no pro-
cesses would be served. This promise Mr. Rogers could not give, and
so the whole cortege of infantry, cavalry, and police — followed, pre-
ceded, and surrounded by the crowd — moved again towards the scene
of the preceding day's operations. "Who, it will be asked, directed the
movements of what might be called the geande armeb — the people ?

HISTOBT OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 275

WTio controlled and guided such a mass ? It was no other than the
venerated and much-beloved parish priest of the place — Rev. Thomas
Connefry. Father Connefry, a nephew to the late Most Rev. Dr.
O'Higgins, was a native of the parish — a Soggarth aroon in every sense
of the word — and the man to whom, under Grod, the people on that day
owed their salvation. To him the people looked for guidance ; him
they obeyed; and he it was that, through the most superhuman
exertions, saved Drumlish from being another Mullaghmast. Should I
say Mullaghmast ? No ; because the tragedy there was but a painted
picture towards what would have been the result if one drop of blood
had been spilled in Drumlish. An old and experienced inhabitant of
the parish, who had seen the Tithe riots of 1832, told me that they
were but child's play to what was nearly occurring that day. However,
to proceed. The military and police marched to Rogers' house again,
and here a halt was made to enable the miserable minion of the law,
who was the cause of all the hub-bub, to drop his precious missive ;
but no — the people were determined no such service should be per-
formed. Immediately the house was surrounded, and the crowd defiled
into a BORBEN leading to it. Up this the military endeavoured to force
a way, but failed ; and suddenly, trying a feint, debouched into a field
on the right, with the object of coming to the rere of the house. But
the people were before them, and in the twinkling of an eye, the field
was packed with men, whilst the threatened dwelling was surrounded
back and front, being filled inside with armed men and women, who
had hot water ready to fling on the advancing host. Here the Riot
Act was again read and defied, as on a former occasion, whilst the Rev.
Father Connefry flew about from one to another, remonstrating,
entreating, and commanding in turn, in order that no chance would be
given to the authorities to draw blood. After many attempts to carry
out their mission, a conference took place between the priests and Mr.
Rogers, with the result that the forces of the Queen were withdrawn
until negotiations for a settlement with Lord Grranard could be entered
into ; and once more the process-server retired, foiled in his object.

276 HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

He never served the processes, simply because a settlement was arrived
at between the Earl and his tenants ; but for fully a month the forces
of the Crown held Drumlish in a state of siege, until about fifty men,
who had taken a prominent part in resisting the law, were bound over
to the peace, after a week's imprisonment in Mullingar Jail.

In reference to this famous period in the history of the Irish land
agitation, the following scrap is taken from the issue of The Tablet, of
January 22nd, 1881, on a question asked by Mr. McCarthy in the
House of Commons : —

" The Earl of GtRanaed as a Landlord.
"Mr. Justin M'Carthy having alluded on Monday to a tumult
caused by the serving of certain processes of ejectment on behalf of
Lord Grranard, Mr. Brrington, on Tuesday, vindicated the character of
that excellent nobleman as a good landlord. These remarks were
warmly received by the House, as was also Mr. Errington's
testimony to the pacific influence of a Catholic priest on this occasion,
and to that which the Catholic clergy in general might be expected
to exercise. ' There was another point also,' continued the member
for Longford, ' to which he wished to allude. He meant the conduct
on the occasion in question of a priest who was present. He believed
it was due mainly to the Christian and manly behaviour of the parish
priest, under difficult and dangerous circumstances, that, if not blood-
shed, at all events serious disturbance was avoided. His name should
be mentioned here. It was the Rev. Father Oonnefry, P.P., of Drum-
lish. The House would agree that his conduct was that at once of a
good priest and a brave man. As to the connection of this episode
with the main question, the House would hardly consider the fact that
even so kind and indulgent a landlord as Lord Grranard was reluctantly
compelled to invoke civil and military aid to preserve order, was a
logical reason for suspending the employment of such forces through-
out the country. With reference to what fell from the hon. member
for Carlow, he agreed with him that the Catholic clergy had found that

.-•^t .^ ^'ir;^

1^

•^fe

'Ts

_2ife .^./^v-

HISTOEY OP THE COITNTY LONGFOED. 279

the present agitation was going too far for them to support it ; but
whatever the result might be, of this he was confident, that in the
future they would show themselves as they always had in the past,
ministers of peace, opposing any movement, however popular, as soon
as it went beyond the strict limits of justice, of religion, and of
honour.' "

Mr. Errington's sense of the " limits of justice, of religion, and of
honour " in those days was rather undefined, I think.

At the Longford Spring Assizes, on the 8th of March, 1881, ten
young men were indicted before Lord Justice Deasy for conspiracy,
and on the occasion of addressing the grand jury, his lordship fully
described the offence committed.

Lord Justice Deasy, addressing them, said "he was sorry their
county was not in as satisfactory a condition as to tranquillity as it
was when he had the honour of presiding at last assizes. The
number of offences had increased very considerably. Some of
the cases had been disposed of at the winter assizes, but a number
still remained undisposed of, and bills on them would now be
sent up by the Crown. He was very glad to say that no case had
occurred involving the loss of human life, and there would, therefore,
be no bill sent up for murder or manslaughter. The principal case or
cases arose out of an unfortunate affair at or near the neighbourhood
of Drumlish, which was made, according to the depositions, the scene
of great disturbances, which continued for a period of three days.
The disturbances appear to have been of a serious character, in some
respects amounting, as they did, almost to an insurrectionary movement
against the law. He sincerely hoped that such a state of things would
not occur again. Bills in the case would be laid before them (the
grand jury), who would give the evidence in support of the charge the
best consideration they could. The bills charged ten persons with
participating in the riots which unfortunately occurred at Drumlish,
and which, as he had said, lasted three days. Perhaps it would be con-

1 A

280 HISTOET or THE COUNTT LONGEOED,

venient to give a short outline or general statement of tlie facts for the
consideration of the grand jury. It appeared from the facts, as they
appeared on the face of the depositions both of the resident magistrate
and sub-inspector, that Lord Grranard employed a process-server named
Murphy to serve processes for rent on some of his tenants in the
neighbourhood of Drumlish, and in order to enable the process-server
to discharge his duties, he sent his bailiff, who was acquainted with the
tenantry, to point out the persons upon whom the processes were to be
served. It was apprehended, and not without reason, that there would
be resistance to the service of the processes on the part of the tenants
and those who sympathized with them, and accordingly, the resident
magistrate and two sub-inspectors went with a force of 100 policemen
to protect the bailiff and process-server. And having got to Drumlish
they found that the place was crowded, and that the people attempted
to obstruct the passage of the bailiff and process-server through the
village to the scene of their intended operations. However, the police
forced their way through the crowd, and got to the police barrack, and
there the resident magistrate and sub-inspectors left fifteen men, and
proceeded with the remaining eighty-five constables to the residence of
a man named Thomas Rodgers, about half a mile from Drumlish. The
crowd accompanied them, and along the road the numbers of the crowd
were considerably augmented by various contingents. Having pro-
ceeded some distance, the police found that there was a lane leading
from the road to Eodgers' house, and from the aspect of the people,
which was very menacing, the resident magistrate and the ofl&cer in
charge of the police thought that it would be inexpedient to proceed
through the lane, which was, of course, flanked by ditches and hedges
which would afford cover to the crowd in the event of any disturbance
occurring. They then made a detour or flank movement through the
fields, and by pressure of the eighty-five men with their swords on the
crowd, they succeeded in approaching the house. When they got to
the wall near it, they saw that the house was deserted, and as they had
no authority to break open the door, the service of the process was

HISTORY OF THB COUNTY LONGFORD. 281

on that occasion ineffectual. The resident magistrate thought it
"would be inexpedient to go further, and he fell back upon Longford,
taking with him the process-server and bailiff, to protect them from the
violence of the mob, for the threats of the mob against the process-server
were of an exceedingly violent character. They declared they would
have his life, and it was probable that if he had not been protected
he would have met with serious violence at the hands of the mob,
and serious disturbances would have taken place. That was on the
12th of January. The police, seeing the threatening attitude of the
people, came bacJk to Longford, where they were reinforced by two
more magistrates, and, what was perhaps equally important, they were
joined by a number of extra policemen, thus bringing the force of con-
stabulary then present up to three hundred men, and with this addi-
tional force the parties returned to Rodgers' house, where they saw a
crowd of about five hundred persons, and a band came apparently to
join them from Mohill. The police returned to Drumlish, having
with them the bailiff and process-server, and protecting them in what
was called ' a hollow square.' Another attempt was made on the
14th of January with a like result. It was right to state that but for
the exertions used by the parish priest, the Eev. Mr. Connefry, there
might have been serious disturbances. He got in among the crowd,
and disarmed some of the men by taking their bludgeons from them,
but, of course, in a crowded assembly he was unable to do more
than take a few of them ; and there was nothing wanting on his part
to prevent acts of violence and breaches of the peace. Whether the
people took the priest's good advice, he (his lordship) was unable to say.
The state of things disclosed by the depositions appeared to be lament-
able, and amounted, as he had said, on a small scale, to a sort of insur-
rection against the law, and, unfortunately, so far with temporary
success. Ten persons would be charged with participating in . these
riotous proceedings, and it would suflB.ce to say that if the prisoners
were aiding and abetting, although they did not strike a blow, they
would be guilty of taking part in a riot. Evidence of overt acts on the

282 HISTORY OF THE COTJNTT LONGFOUB,

part of tlie several defendants would be given, and that being so, the
duty of the grand jury would be very plain. He (his lordship) under-
stood the accused parties would be positively identified, that overt acts
would be proved against them, and that being so, the duty of the grand
jury would be to find true bills, leaving it to" the parties accused to
defend themselves before a petty jury in this court. Though the
language of the mob was violent, and their disposition towards the bailifE
and process-server hostile, through the intervention of the police no
violence was inflicted upon anyone."

Three of the ten men indicted were sentenced to' short terms of
imprisonment, and so this interesting episode in the history of the Irish
Land Agitation terminated ; but it is only fair to add, that ever since the
people of Drumlish have been the bone and sinew of the land war in
Longford.

EdGEWORTHSTOWN — CloNBEONET — KlLLOE.

Bdgeworthstown, or the parish of Mostrim, has a population of about
3,000 souls, nearly all Roman Catholics, of which the town absorbs fully
1,000. It is so called because of its being the residence for the past
two hundred years of the Bdgeworth family, of which another branch
lived in the parish of Clonbroney, the present representative of the
former being Antonio E. Edgeworth, a gentleman who has, I am told,
lived a considerable time in Italy. The little town of Edgeworthstown
is pleasantly situated enough, and a considerable portion of the land
about it is the very best to be foui^Jin the County Longford. Like
all other places though, the landlord'^disinclined to give it at a mode-
rate rent; and quite recently a very animated dispute took place
between him and his tenants, during which he invoked the power of the
law and held a sheriff's sale in the town.

Edgeworthstown House, beautifully situated a short distance from
the town, is the birthplace of the famous Maria Edgeworth, daughter
of Richard Lovell Edgeworth, who died in 1817, and whose remains are
interred in the cemetery of the place. Maria Edgeworth was born in
1770, and died in the year 1849, at the ripe old age of eighty. Her

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 283

teng and useful life was chiefly passed in Ireland ; and many of her
earlier works were produced by the aid of her father, who was a man of
very eccentric character, but great intellectual activity in devoting him-
self to educational experiments and the improvement of society. Miss
Edgeworth was a novel writer, who in her works endeavoured at once
to please the taste and educate the mind ; and the most valuable series
of her early educational stories were the charming tales entitled
"Rosamond," "Harry and Lucy," "Frank," published under the title
of Early Lessons. These tales are written in the simplest style of
language, and are both intelligible and interesting to the youngest
readers ; whilst the knowledge of character they display, the sound
practical lessons they convey, and the naturalness of their incidents,
make them morceaux choisis to the adult reader. In a work called the
Parents' Assistant, Miss Edgeworth endeavoured to teach people of a
more advanced age the very lessons contained in the previous sketches ;
and she next tried, in a short series of stories, such as Simple Susan,
which is a masterpiece of grace and style, to combat the follies and
prejudices of youth. Her best novel was a story entitled Castle Back-
rent, in which the miseries and wretched state of poor Irish tenants,
and the tyranny and hardships to which their landlords subjected
them, are vividly sketched ; and a defence of the badly vilified Irish
character makes Maria Edgeworth do for the Irish what Sir "Wajter
Scott did for the Scotch. Her other literary efforts included two very
good stories — The Absentee and Patronage, in both of which she endea-
voured to correct other social errors, and not unsuccessfully either, for
she has done more good in the cause of common sense than any other
similar writer in the ranks of British literature. Her father, brother,
and some of her cousins were decidedly noted for their literary propen-
sities ; and whilst none of them showed the same rare gifts and talents
as did herself, yet the family deserve specially to be complimented on
their literary ability. Their exertions, too, in the cause of education
deserve well for them from the people of this county ; for, during the
lifetime of Richard Lovell Edgeworth, prior to the passing of any edu-

284 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

cational measures, he patronized no less than eight different schools in
the town, which was noted amongst surrounding towns for the excel-
lency of its teaching and general proficiency of its scholars. In the
year 1740 a Latin School was taught here by the Eev. Patrick Hughes,
at which Oliver Goldsmith spent two years ; but, strange to say, despite
his descriptive ability and general references to places he met with, he
makes no mention either of the size or population of Bdgeworthstown.
It, however, appears to me to be about 200 years erected, during which
it has undergone vast improvement for the better. About the year
1800 a great part of the town was rebuilt, owing to roof dilapidation
and other causes, and at this time it is said to have consisted of 145
houses, which was by no means a small number for those days.

The only historical reference I can find made to this parish is under
date —

" 1430. Owen 0' Neill, accompanied by the chiefs of his province,
marched with a great army into Annaly. He went first to Sean Loug-
phort, and from thence to Caoillseallach (Kilsallagh), where he resided
for some time."

The Bdgeworth family settled early in this place, to which they gave
their name, the old name being Mostrim. The district which they
obtained at the time of the plantation of Annaly previously belonged
to the O'Farrells of Oamliskmore.

The ruins of an abbey existed on the lands of Cullyvore, in this
parish, in 1837. Very little more than the foundation-stones of it now
remain, although it was in a tolerable state of preservation then. There
can be no record of its existence found in any ecclesiastical work I have
seen. The patron saint of the parish of Mostrim is unknown ; but Mr.
O'Donovan believes, from the fact that a well called Barry's Well was
lying almost beside the old ruins, that the ancient patron of this parish
was St. Bearach. The present patron is the Blessed Virgin Mary,
whose feast is celebrated by the people on August 15th. At a place
called Noghaval, some distance from this parish, in the year —

"1462. O'Farrell of Annaly was defeated by the sons of Con

HISTORY OP THE COTJNTT LONGFORD. 285

O'MelagMin, Laviseach, the son of Eoss, and the Dillons of Westmeath.
Edmund O'Ferrall, and eleven men who were descendants of Murtogh
Oge O'Ferrall, were taken prisoners, after a loss on their side of seventy
men in the battle."

During the visit of O'Neill in 1430, his army fell short of provisions,
and a bull having been procured, it is said that O'Neill had him roasted
alive. His roars were so great that all the kine in the country ran
towards him, and O'Neill, putting an end to his sufferings, captured all
the other beasts. Portion of the parish of Streete which is cut off by
the boundary of this county from Westmeath, adjoins the mearing of
this parish. Mr. John O'Donovan believes that it should be dedicated
to St. Fintan, because there is a holy well here in the townland of
Queensland ; but he makes no historical reference to that part of the
parish in this county.

Glonbroney.

This is an extensive parish, generally low and flat, lying to the
north-east of the parish of Mostrim, and directly between Longford
and G-ranard. In the middle of the parish is the pleasantly-situated
town of Ballinalee, which up to the year 1800 was known as the Cor-
poration of St. Johnstown, and returned two members to the Irish
Parliament. No doubt, the existence of such a place as a borough
would create considerable feelings of risibility were one to visit it as
such to-day. It was created, however, in the year 1680, for the purpose-
of being a convenient and handy " pocket " from which to return two
upholders of " law and order."

Between Ballinalee and Edgeworthstown is the celebrated Moat
Ferrall, and also Charlton's Folly, both relics of a past age, worthy of the
attention of the historian, poet, or painter. Moat Ferrall is about the
same size as the Moat of Lisserdowling, but more elevated and ancient-
looking. A tradition is preserved amongst the people that the interior of
it is hollow, and that in old times there was a private entrance to it by
which the O'Ferralls entered when they were fleeing from their enemies.

286 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

and remained in concealment here until danger was passed. Another
story I have heard of it was, that here were inaugurated the ancient chief-
tains of Annaly prior to the dissensions which occurred amongst them
in 1445. The ceremony of inauguration was a curious and solemn one.
When the ruling chieftain died, or was killed in battle, as most often
happened, his remains were borne on a bier to the moat, on the top of which
they remained for one whole day and night, his people meantime keeping
watch over the body in respectful silence. At the expiration of the
appointed time for waking it, the body was removed, and the new
chieftain, who had been selected in iihe meantime, ascending the moat,
took an oath to observe the customs and laws of his country ; and a
white wand being presented to him, he thus assumed the lordship of
his chieftaincy. Two hundred years ago the lands of Moat Ferrall
belonged to a Mr. Charlton, who at his death willed them and his
estates in Longford, Meath, and Westmeath to be divided in certain
sums of money between young married labouring couples. This will
has been a subject of much litigation. In order to spend as much
money as he could, he built in this neighbourhood a rambling old
structure, now in ruins, which, from the lot of money expended on it,
and the way it is built, is called Charlton's Folly to this day. Both
these places are well worthy of a visit from any person. In the year
1798, there encamped in the village of Ballinalee the blood-stained
soldiers of Lord Cornwallis, who' hanged more men during his three
days' stay in it than ever were known to be executed at one period in
the county before. If the reader refers to Part I. of this work, he will
find full statistics given of the men who represented St. Johnstown in
the Irish House of Commons.

At a place called Firmount, in this parish, was born the celebrated
Abb^ Bdgeworth, who attended Louis XIV. on the scaffold at his
execution in Paris in 1789. He belonged to the Bdgeworth family;
and was at the time of his death esteemed a very learned and holy man.
He was converted to the Catholic faith whilst travelling in France in
his young days.

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HISTOEY OF THE COUNTX LONGFORD. 289

* Grenerally speaking, the parish of Clonbroney is one of the most
fertile and pleasing-looking to be met with, in the county. I am not
very well versed in the topography of the parish ; but- 1 know that not
far frora the town of Ballinalee the CamHn takes its rise ; and into the
CamHn the surplus waters of the small lake of Grurteen discharge them-
selves by a natural underground sewer, forming one of the most curious
phenomena to be met with in any part of Ireland. On the slope of
Cornhill, and to the west of the town, there is also some splendid
natural scenery in a place called the Grlen, well worthy of a visit from
any person — even the tourist who has visited the hills of Switzerland
or the Lakes of Killarney. This beautiful place, which has not been at
all improved by the loss of some trees lately cut down by the landlord,
consists of a fairy dell, through which a tiny rivulet runs, falling in its
course over a succession of natural cascades, in one of which there is
formed a regular pot and pan, out of which the water dashes and forms
a miniature fountain, very pretty to see on a fine day. On the whole
it is the most beautifully fairy spot in the County Longford.

Killoe.

The parish of Killoe, which is bounded on the north by Cornhill,
on the east by Clonbroney, west by Drumlish, and south by Longford,
is, according to Mr. O'Donovan, a wild parish generally, low, flat, and
boggy, and on the whole far from fertile. Nevertheless, the men of
this parish have been at all times good stout men, ever in the breach
when the call of duty required their presence. I have referred to
Cornhill, which is so called because of the existence on its top of a large
cairn, or huge pile of stones, which marks the last resting-place of some
of the Irish kings. It is questionable if any relics of the monarchs
could be discovered were search made beneath the cairn ; but I have no
doubt that an interesting suite of martial weapons would be discovered.
It was on this hill that the beacon was lighted which proclaimed to
the people that the Rising of '98 had been accomplished; and O'Rourke,

1 ii

290 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

in his marcli to Ardagli in 1172, stayed at the foot of the hill for one
night. I am sorry to say that, except for these few and uninteresting
records, I have found no other references to these parishes.

OlONGISH and KlLLASHEE.

Clongish.

The parish of Clongish extends in an oblong direction from the
bridge of Clonart to the cross roads of Kilmore — a distance of about
four miles, its greatest breadth not exceeding three. It is entirely flat
and uninteresting, except that in the very centre of it almost stands
Castle Forbes, the residence of the Earl of Grranard, a costly fabric of
recent erection, standing between the village of Newtownforbes and
the Shannon. The castle is erected about one mile from the main
entrance to the demesne, which is about a mile square in circumference,
the entrance opening into the single street of the village itself. It
consists of a minaretted tower of solid and substantial proportions,
attached to which is the main or house portion of the building, five
stories high, erected of purely-dressed limestone. At right angles to
this building is another similar building forming a triangle without a
base, the apex of which is the tower. At the base of this triangle a
line of stables runs parallel to the northern wing of the building, in
which the carriage and other horses belonging to the Earl of Grranard
are kept ; and were a comparison to be instituted between them and
the wretched dens in which some of his lordship's tenants are forced
to live, a very fair idea would be gained of the fetid passion which
often impels human beings to fondle a pug dog and spurn a Christian
from their doors at the same time.

There are inside the walls of the demesne, and behind Castle Forbes,
the remains of a graveyard in which, prior to the year 1800, all the
people of the parish had leave to inter deceased relatives. But the
fourth Earl of Grranard, having spent much of his time in fencing in the
demesne with walls and palings, determined to close this graveyard

HISTORY OF THE OOITNTy LONGFOED. 291

against future interments, except of members of his own family. When
this became known it aroused a great deal of anger and discontent in
the parish ; so much so that many persons had recourse to burying
their friends in the graveyard at night sooner than forego their right to
interment in it. This Lord Granard always resisted, by having the
remains lifted and deposited outside the castle walls as soon as he dis-
covered that an interment had taken place. There lived in the parish
at this time a notorious prize-fighter and village Sampson, whose prowess
with the fists had gained for him the pugnacious title of the " BuUa-
watha." This man fell sick in the course of time, and, when dying,
called his sons to his bedside. "Bury me," said he, "in the graveyard
in the demesne, where my father before me rests ; and put a good
blackthorn stick at my right hand in the coffin, for if anyone disturbs
me you'll hear something." The man died soon after, and the direc-
tions he gave to his sons were faithfully carried out ; and at midnight
his remains were placed in a grave in the forbidden burial-ground.
Next day the earl came to hear of it, and ordered the removal of the
remains. His orders were promptly obeyed, and poor " Bulla-watha "
was left on the road side; and the people of Olongish heard next
morning that Lord Granard was dead.

There is a good story told of the wife of Sir George Forbes, fifth
Earl of Granard. She, it seems, was a very benevolent lady, who
recognised that " those who give to the poor lend to the Lord." One
day she was walking in the demesne of Castle Forbes, accompanied by
her husband, the earl, when they were accosted by a poor mendicant,
who craved of them an alms. Lady Granard immediately put her
hand ia her pocket, and took from her purse a guinea, which she
handed to the poor man. The earl, who was rather "tight" in
money matters, expostulated with her on such extravagance, and said
guineas were not so plenty as to be given away at random. Her lady-
ship requested him to lend her half-a-sovereign and she would exchange
it for the gift she had just made ; and having called back the mendi-
cant, she said, " Here, poor man, his lordship desires to add a donation

292 HlSTOET OF THE COUNTY LOKGFOED.

to my small gift." She tHeii gave him the half-sovereign, and, having
rejoined her lord, informed him what she had done. It is needless to
say that his lordship did not again interfere with his lady's bequests.

About the year 1780 an innocent man was ordered to be executed
in Longford Jail for the crime of sheep-stealing. In vain the poor
fellow protested his innocence of the crime with which he was charged ;
there was no mercy for him, and when the day appointed for his exe-
cution had come, he was brought out to a large tree in the neighbour-
hood of Longford Jail, and there publicly strung up like a dog. In those
days a man's friends obtained his body after death ; and in this case, as
soon as the oflB.cials of the jail had departed, the body was cut down and
borne off by the relations. When bearing it away some of them
observed that it was very warm, and that the tongue did not protrude
as in the ordinary case where a man's neck is broken by a fall ; and
having applied restoratives they had the satisfaction of seeing the appa-
rently dead man come to in a few hours, an injury to his spine being
the only serious result of the hanging. The truth was, that in those
days hanging was an every-day occurrence almost, and in this instance,
the officials had been so careless in performing their ugly task, that they
had not carried out the sentence of the law. From the effects of the
injury to his spine, the man was hunched during after-life. His friends
succeeded in conveying him away in secret to the woods of Castleforbes,
where they built for him, in a secret place, a small hut. Here he lived
in privacy for about five years, never daring to go out except after dark.
One day, however, a frolicsome boy ran into his hut, and shouted to him
that the soldiers were coming, and the poor fellow got such a fright
that he dropped dead on the floor.

Du.ring the stormy days of '98 and 1803 this parish was the scene
of very active work. Lord Forbes, son to the Earl of Granard, was then
about in his maturity, and his father, the earl, in virtue of his command
of the Longford Militia, had at his back a company of about 120 yeomen.
"With these men the young viscount was in the habit of sallying out and
searching for rebels, as he was pleased to call any person who had

HISTORY OF*rHB COUNTY LONGFORD. 293

rep.dered himself obnoxious to the ruling powers. On one occasion
intelligence was conveyed to him that a rebel who held a command
at Ballinamuck, was concealed in a house in his father's bog. Imme-
diately the young lord and his minions dashed out and scoured the whole
country, but without avail. It was afterwards known that the hunted
patriot had lain in a boghole whilst the yeomen searched the bog, and
these gallant sons of Mars never thought of looking in such a place
for him.

His father, the Earl, who had a seat in the Irish House of Lords,
opposed the passing of the accursed Union ; and it is said of him that
neither bribery nor offers of promotion could induce him to give his
assent to it. When the union was passed, he, in company with twenty-
eight other peers of Ireland, entered a written protest in the most
solemn manner against it. He is said also to have invariably supported
Charlemont, G-rattan, and Curran in their Irish policy.

It is gratifying to find that in so important a matter Lord Glranard
took the right side ; and it would, in my opinion, do a great deal for his
grandson to-day in the estimation of the people of Longford, if he could
bring himself to support the policy of the great statesman who is endea-
vouring to undo the chains which have bound Ireland since 1800. I
have at some length previously referred to Lord G-ranard's action at
Ballinamuck in no very complimentary terms. At that time I was not
aware of his other action in 1800 ; and whilst I am most willing on all
occasions to show up the bad acts of men in power, I would not wish
to be understood as a partial critic who looked but to the one side of a
picture.

In Lord Granard's demesne there is a kind of old stone pier, with
a curious inscription in Latin carved upon it. This inscription is sup-
posed by Mr. John O'Donovan to be dedicated to Barbacela, " the guar-
dian of the spring" a well that once bubbled forth from the root of an
ash-tree in the vicinity. I have never seen the inscription or the monu-
ment myself, but I take the liberty of attaching hereunto Mr. 'Dono-
van's translation of it. He says that the people of Olongish call this

294 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOHD.

monument Granuewael's Tomb, but in this tbey are, of course,
mistaken.

He also says that the parish of Olongish was originally founded by
St. Eilether, according to Colgan; but the name of the saint, or when
he lived, is no longer even remembered by the present inhabitants. In
a previous notice of the Earls of Granard, I have given the recorded
events that took place during the Irish Confederated Catholic War in
1641, and also the events of the War in 1690. I will now conclude my
notice of this parish with a word about

The Baebacela Monument.

O'Donovan's translation of the inscription on this monument is : —

" Polycletes, tell why has old fame
Extolled thy arts and raised on high thy name,
When the fair figures fashioned by thy hand
Can ne'er the wasting power of time withstand.
Why boast of Phydia's nobly sculptured forms,
As they have not defied the rage of storms.
But look at me with artless native face,
Sit here, eternal vigil of the place ;
For snows and storms may rage
In vain to strike me with the marks of age.
I still retain the beauty of my prime.
And bid defiance to the hand of time.
G-ood friend, whene'er thou travellest this way,
Shouldst thou be thirsty from a sultry day.
Consulting for thy stomach and thy head,
Drink freely of this well — 'twill serve instead
Of wine and all such artificial drink.
Which cause the body and the mind to shrink.
But when thou travellest here some offering bring
To Barhacela, goddess of this spring."

Killashee.

The word " Killashee " means " the wood of the fairies," and this
parish is so called because of the number of forts which are to be found

HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGrORD. 295

in.itj and whicli, some hundreds of years ago, were covered with, trees.
This is an uninteresting parish, free from many historical reminis-
cences. It is mostly composed of low land and bog, which, except for
some fertile and productive spots, is generally of a very inferior quality.

It is said that at the old graveyard of Ballinakill there stood in
ancient times a monastery for Grey Franciscan Friars, the remains of
which are still plainly to be seen in the old graveyard, which is nearly
midway between the villages of Killashee and Clondra, and is very
picturesquely situated. In reference to this monastery, I find that
there were fifteen Franciscan convents founded in Leinster, and that in

" 1302. The Convent of St. John the Baptist, near Killashee, in the
County of Longford, was founded by Dhonmal O'Farrell, Chieftain of
Annaly."

Dhomnal O'Farrell is mentioned as 76th on the O'Farrell pedigree
from Ir, the founder of the Iran Monarchy. The date at which the
Convent of Killashee was destroyed or deserted is not given ; but we
may reasonably suppose that in the reign of Elizabeth it shared the same
fate as the other monasteries and abbeys in Ireland. An old story is told
in reference to it, which is the most interestmg about this parish. This
is, that at the time of its suppression there was a splendid musical bell
suspended from an ash-tree beside the old monastery ; and the soldiers
who demolished it took away the bell, and set it up on the belfry of a
church which they had erected for their own use, near the Shannon.
The bell, however, was not disposed to. call to prayers people to whose
religious feelings its own were not consonant ; and the Sunday fol-
lowing its removal, when the time came for Mass, the bell sprung from
the belfry on which it had been placed, and, flying back through the
air, clanging aloud to the people to assemble for their ancient worship,
once more become settled upon the tree, from which it fell to the
ground and was broken. This beautiful legend in reference to the sound
of the bell in the air is yet told amongst the people of this parish, and
many of them will also tell the querist of their having heard it them-
selves — auribus ipsis. There is in Killashee, as well as in every other

296 HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

place, a holy well called by tlie name of Ardneeves Well, to tke waters
of wHch certain miraculous powers are attached.

Rynmount House is a very old erection near Clondra, and was at
one time the residence of a family of Montforts. The little village of
Clondra, at the upper end of the parish, is an ancient place, and was
the head-quarters of all the grain merchants of the county prior to the
introduction of the canal into Longford, in 1826. A tremendous
traffic was carried on between this place and Dublin at or shortly
before the time of the Union, which was subsequently transferred to
Longford, and carried on there for years. There was a distillery here
in those days, too, which carried on a large trade. Many accidents,
too numerous to record, have occurred about the canal and locks which
open into the Shannon. Unfortunately, the trade done on these high-
ways of traffic has largely decreased.

In the graveyard of Clondra there stands the ruins of what the
inhabitants of this parish call " Cromwell's Church," which is one of the
strongest-looking structures I have seen, and is certainly in a state 'of
great preservation. Inside and outside the walls are surrounded with
bushes and brambles, which add a good deal to its ancient appearance ;
whilst the long, narrow slit windows testify to its undoubtedly strong
claims to antiquity. I have made a careful examination of the ruins,
and my own belief is that this place was once a friary chapel of some
sort or other, in which the clergyman who officiated lived. My reason
for believing that the latter lived here is, that at the rere of the building
there is a kitchen-like apartment, the roof of which is composed of
small stones, arched and grouted together. A flight of stone steps leads
on to this roof, which is thus made a gallery of. Probably the whole
building was roofed in like manner in the good old days gone by. The
walls of this priory chapel, which is exactly similar to Abbeydearg,
Ballymacormack, and Longford, are very thick ; and in the graveyard
itself there is to be seen more than one old stone carved in raised Irish
letters. Irish scholars should note this fact, and pay a visit to Clondra
graveyard.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 299

, I have been told that almost at the edge of the Shannon, and in a
bee-line south-west from this old ruin, there was erected a castle, the
remains of which are now scarcely discernible. I have found no
historical mention made of it. Coming back to the village of Killashee,
we pass, on our way into Longford, Ballyclare Castle, reference to
which will be found in the extracts from the Patent Rolls of James I.

Longford.

The parish of Longford is at the present day made up of the
parishes of Tempi emichael, Sraid, and Ballymacormack, and numbers
7,000 inhabitants, of whom 4,000 live in the town of Longford. The
town of Longford is incorporated under the Towns' Improvement Act,
1854, and is represented in the Town Council by fifteen Town Com-
missioners, of whom one is borough magistrate and holds a Court of
Conscience once a week ; whilst the electorate is divided into two
wards, called respectively the Longford and Abbey Wards.

The Upper Barracks, built about the year 1790, was used as the
depot of an artillery regiment, and possessed many more attractive
features about it than a mere outside inspection would attach to it.

The Lower Barracks, which was built about the year 1815, has
served for the head- quarters oE a cavalry regiment up to within a few
years ago, when, contrary to the wishes of a large number of the
people of the town, whose trade was benefited by the presence
of the soldiers, the head-quarters were removed, and have not since
been restored. Among the other buildings in town worthy of notice,
are — the county jail, the county infirmary, the Roman Catholic
Cathedral, St. Mel's College, St. Joseph's Convent of Mercy, and the
Protestant church. The county jail is a comparatively new erection
of very formidable proportions, and capable of holding 150 prisoners.

Up to a recent period it was the jail in which all prisoners
from the county were confined ; but owing to the diminution of
crime in Ireland, as well as to the paring economy of our rulers, the
county jail of Longford is now an empty building, in which no

1

300 HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORB

prisoners are confined. After its erection, a practical system of remu-
nerative labour introduced at the time into Irish prisons was carried out
here with great success, and starch and Indian meal was ground by the
prisoners on the treadmill ; whilst female prisoners were employed in
sewing sacks and other useful articles of house use ; and so very eco-
nomically was the business managed, that the governor at the time,
after feeding his prisoners and paying them Id. per day, had a profit
to balance his accounts with. Now all this has been changed, and the
prisoners, instead of being employed at some useful work, are sent
down to Sligo to break stones for road contractors, and to cost the
cesspayers in railway fares more money than if they had been left in
Longford.

The county infirmary was erected in 1848, and is capable of holding
about sixty patients, whose wants are attended to by a staff of nurses,
a doctor, and aii apothecary. The present doctor is by repute a
clever surgeon ; and very few cases of death have occurred under his
hands, although it is not to be expected that there are the same
appliances, medical and surgical, here as one meets with in a city. It
is a great pity that the Government do not empower their universities
to place such hospitals as these on the list of those places from which
students could obtain a medical degree ; and I am sure that if such
regulations were put in force regarding county infirmaries, the result
would be tp greatly assist the doctors and to tend to the general welfare
of the patients.

With regard to the County Longford Infirmary, a good story is
told of its first doctor. This was a Frenchman named Dubedat, who
exercised all the medical and surgical skill the patients needed at that
time, and is said to have been a wondrously clever man. Be that as it
may, after his death it was rumoured among the patients that they had
" seen " Dr. Dubedat, or rather his ghost, and forthwith it was ordained
as an unwritten law that Dr. Dubedat's appearance meant the death of
the patient whom he visited ; and up to a few years ago Dr. Dubedat's
visits were almost as regularly reported as the advent of a new moon.

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOBD. 30l

' The Eoman Catholic Cathedral of Longford is the largest building
of its kind in Leiaster. For the stupendousness of its proportions, the
height of its tower, the massiyeness of its columns, and its gorgeous
interior decorations, the Cathedral of Longford can vie with any other
in Ireland. The first stone was laid on the 19th of May, 1840, by the
then bishop. Right Rev. WilKam O'Higgias, and it was completed and
opened on 29th September, 1856, by the Right Rev. John Kilduff, his
immediate successor, than whom no greater benefactor of the Church
ever lived. The cathedral is cruciform in shape, consisting of a nave,
two transepts, two aisles, and a spacious chancel. In the aisles and
round the whole church, at a distance of some twelve feet from the
ground, there are niches placed between each window, in which the
present illustrious and saintly bishop has erected costly statues of the
saints and the Holy Family ; and in recent years a large sum has been
expended in the interior decoration of the church. The roof is sup-
ported by more than 24 large columns, massively thick, and cut out of
a limestone quarry in the parish of Newtowncashel. Underneath the
floor of the church are vaults for the interment of priests, and there
are also here interred the remains of the founder and opener of the
cathedral. The erection of this stupendous building cost £60,000, and
the high altar (which is cut out of French marble) and the grand organ
cost £10,000. The collection of this vast sum to erect a fitting temple
for the CathoHcs of the centre of Ireland surely reflects credit on those
who undertook the herculean task ; and the writer is fully sensible that
he is unable to do sufficient justice to the result of their labours. The
architectural beauty and finish of the mouldings of the ceiling are alone
worthy of the greatest praise ; but it would require a more skilled and
experienced writer than I am to adequately describe the whole building,
a personal visit to which will amply repay the stranger.

St. Mel's College is nearly twenty years doing practical good for
the Catholic youth of the county, and already it has passed through its
portals some eminent men, including Joseph R. Cox, Esq., M.P. for
East Clare, and his brother. Dr. M. F. Cox, a distinguished man in the

302 HISTORY OF THE COtTNTY LONGPOED,

medical profession in Dublin. The number of priests who have been
educated in St, Mel's College is beyond reckoning, and a good many
of its students at the present day occupy high places in the various
professional ranks of our country, whilst not a few have obtained
creditable places in the Civil Service. St. Mel's College is built in a
north-eastern direction from the town, and presents to the eye all that
is needed to make a college a healthy home for students. The teaching
staff is large, the curriculum varied, every subject necessary to a man's
present day education being taught by it. Not the least attractive feature
is the foundation of a number of valuable bourses by the present bishop,
which are offered for competition each year to the students ; and every
care and attention is bestowed by the authorities on the latter.

St. Joseph's Convent of Mercy ib a recent building which cost a
large sum of money, and is admirably fitted for the wants of the
large community that dwell within its wallls. The community is under
the spiritual care of the Eev. Mother Mary Joseph Howley, and the
patronage of the Lord Bishop of Ardagh. To the convent are attached
the young ladies' and other schools, in which a very good education is
given to the Catholic female youth of the town.

The Protestant Church of Longford is built in the same style as
nearly all such churches are built throughout the country, and there is
nothing peculiar about it except that it is said to be erected on the
site of the old parish church of Longford. The present church is not
more than eighty years erected, having superseded an old and shaky
building which had stood in the same place from the reign of Queen
Anne. The building of to-day is the plainest of the plain — neither
pretentious in its outward nor (we believe) interior appearance.

There are also in Longford a Methodist chapel, opened in 1843, a
Presbyterian church, and what is called a Bartonite meeting-house ;
and we have national schools to correspond to all these persuasions.

Coming to historical matter, I may be permitted to say that never
have I ever experienced more difficulty than to discover the origin
and history of the town of Longford. The name Longford, how-

HISTOEY OF THE COTINTY LONGFORD. 303

ever, gives us a clue to the origin of the town. We are told in an
old record that the Gaelic name of this place was Athfada, which
means the long ford — ath being the Gaehc for ford, and fada long.
Our forefathers had a curious fashion of calling every place by its
peculiar natural characteristic, and when the Saxon came, in order
to name places he simply translated the Gaelic name, and gave him-
self no more trouble about it. Thus, by the translation of Athfada,
we have Longford, the name we know to-day.

The Castle of Lios-ard-abhla, erected at the Moat of LisserdowHng,
and now represented by a few crumbling old walls at the foot of the
moat, is within the parish boundary of Longford, and is well worthy
of a visit from the people of the town, who do not seem to know that
such a place exists at all. The ruins of the castle, as shown in the old
walls, prove it to have been a large and important erection ; but I have
been told that nearly all the main portions of the structure, which was
iu a tolerable state of preservation up to some short time ago, have been
removed. The people who live in the neighbourhood tell that the moat
is hollow within, and that they remember the time when a chimney-shaft
was open on the top of it. They also say it was believed by many
old people that the owners lived within and had underground passages
from it to escape through in case of attack or surprise. I am inclined
myself to think that, like the Moat of Granard, Lios-ard-abhla was
used, if for anything, as a storehouse for grain, but as nothing else
than that.

The first mention that we find of the existence of such a place as
Longford, occurs in the year 1400, when we find that Dhomnal, or
Donnell O'Earrell, chieftain of Annaly, founded a monastery which con-
tinued to flourish for more than one hundred years, until the suppres-
sion by Elizabeth. The next thing we know is that Longford became
a borough, and was represented in the Irish House of Commons by two
members of Parliament from the year 1613 to 1800. The whole
county was, during this time, represented by ten members — not a few
of whom were celebrated men — such as Sir John Parnell, John Hely

304 HISTORY OF THE OOUNTT LONGFORD.

Hutchinson, Arthur Grore, &c. It was during those days that the
Aungiers became Lords of Longford, having obtained large grants of
land about the present town in these days ; and they, in my opinion,
erected the present old Castle of Longford.

Perhaps it would be well now to say a few words about the Castle
of Longford. This castle consists at present of a large tower and
a square building attached, the whole forming a large and com-
fortable dwelling-house, which is let out in tenements to the wives of
the soldiers of the adjoining barracks. The tenement rooms are large
and airy ; so large, indeed, that some of them would make a very good
little dwelling-house in itself. In this respect alone they show their
age and antiquity, for, together with the old houses built round them,
they are now in use more than 200 years. The Castle of Longford
was built by Lord Aungier, the first Lord Longford, about the
year 1627. Lord Aungier, in building the castle, attached to
it a keep for soldiers, and surrounded it with a fortification,
which extended in parallel lines from the back of the jail to Mullagh
Bridge, thence across to the Kiver Camlin, which formed the southern
and eastern fortification to the castle. The Eiver Camlin at this time
flowed in a straight line from the Bridge of Longford until it joined its
small tributary at a point midway between the railway and Mullagh
Bridge, whence it swept round to the north and flowed by an at present
clearly defined channel into its present course. The old course of the
river will be plainly seen if the reader takes the trouble to walk from the
end of this old channel towards the Lower Barrack back gate, when he
will find a green track leading him straight till he strikes the river at the
point where the present new cut was made for it. The track of the
old fosse or fortification will be also plainly discernible if the reader
draws a straight line from the wooden bridge to the end of Abbeycar-
tron lane, and thence across to the north side of the present barracks.
The space inside and outside this old boundary is called The Demesne,
and has never lost the title bestowed on it by the first owners, who in
those good old days had it planted with fine oak and birch -trees, which

HTSTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOKD. 305

are now all cut down, but traces of which are yet plainly to be seen in
the number of little mounds that now cover the whole flat pasture of
this portion of the land.

The Castle of Longford remained in possession of the Aungiers
as long as they continued Lords of Longford, and passed from them
to the Pakenhams, when they obtained the title (which was about
the year 1765), who continued to reside in it until the year 1816,
or thereabouts, when, owing to the suicide of one of the family in
it, they abandoned it for good as a residence, and went to reside near
CastlepoUard, where they still live. The Pakenhams are first men-
tioned in connexion with the county about the year 1730, on 6th
October, 1747, Thomas Pakenham being elected M.P. for the
Borough of Longford. His son, Edward Michael Pakenham, was
created first Yiscount Longford, and the present earl is the fifth of
the name who holds the title.

Many and thrilling are the stories which could be told concerning
past events in the town of Longford. It is built on the Camlin,
which, many hundred years ago, was a wide and shallow stream,
flowing by an irregular and zig-zag course to the Shannon. Its course
at present is very irregular, it is true ; but then efforts have been made,
and not without success, to build up proper embankments, &c., to
repress the overflow of the river ; and in many places are to be found
traces of an old and (now) disused course such as I have described.
The peasantry of the county have always told that there was a pro-
phecy made by St. Columbkille about this stream. The prophecy was
to the effect that it would be seen to run red with blood on three
different occasions, the last being a warning of the approach of the
end of time. The people aver that already this prophecy has been
fulfilled twice, each fulfilment having occurred during times of sore
trial to the Irish people. On the first of these occasions the river
was reddened by the blood of the men slain at Ballinamuck, which
a body of soldiers washed off their garments in the river at Ballinalee.
The second took place when, during the great cholera epidemic of 1832,

306 HJSTOIiy OP THE OOTTNTY LONGFORD.

a butcher in Longford killed a number of sheep on the banks of the
river. If the prophecy ever was made, and that its fulfilment was of
such direful moment to the people, it is no harm to say that we hope
the third fulfilment will not occur, at least during the present generation..

Several very cruel events occurred upon the advent of the
satellites — lay and clerical — of Queen Bess in Longford. One of the
stories told of it is, that on their arrival they found three monks of the
Order of St. Dominick in the old parish chapel. The times these men
lived in were times in which a man's life was held at very little value ;
and, of course, everyone is aware that, as well as Mahomet in Arabia,
Elizabeth in England and Ireland " made men's consciences by the
sword." Thus it came that the discovery of the poor Dominican friars
was somewhat like a godsend to the soldiers, who immediately led them
out to execution. Two of them were strung up at once to a large elm-
tree that grew near the present church entrance. The third, a vener-
able grey-headed old man, was offered his life and liberty if he would
renounce his faith and lay aside his Dominican habit. The old
gentleman calmly listened to the proposals made to him by his enemies,
and then he said : " In these garments I have lived my life — in them I
will meet my death." The words were scarcely uttered when he fell
to the ground, pierced to the heart by the sword of the Elizabethan
officer in command of the soldiers, whose bloody act was loudly
applauded by his coarse-minded, vulgar soldiery. This story is probably
an unauthorized version of the martyrdoms related at page 181.

Some time previous to 1798, a poor man was one fine morning
going to the fair of Ballymahon to sell a cow, and in walking along the
road he met a party of four men carrying the bleeding corpse of a
fifth, whom they were after murdering. Naturally the poor man was
very much alarmed at meeting such persons, for it is an old saying that
" he is a wise man who never finds a dead man;" but there being no
hope for it, he boldly advanced towards them. One of them ran away,
but three remained, and, in order to shut the new arrival's mouth, they
made him take the place of the man who had fled, and assist them to

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cast the dead body into a boghole. He did so in fear jp,nd trembling,
and then went his way. A short time afterwards he was tried for the
offence, and, although the authorities knew well that he had no further
act, part, or knowledge of the brutal affair than what is related, he was
condemned and executed in Longford Jail, despite the loudest protes-
tations of innocence, whilst the real murderers escaped. Shortly after
the Battle of Waterloo, a double execution took place within the same
walls for wife murder, the sufferers being brother and sister, who had
combined to murder the wife of the former. The female prisoner on
this occasion must have been of a very hardened disposition, for she
insisted at her execution on being dressed in the most fashionable style ;
and such was the disgust her action created, that a peculiar cloak then
in great vogue was, after the execution, never again worn by the women
of the county. In the year 1799 twelve men were hanged in Longford
Jail for various offences, many of them for murder, of which all the
Irish insurgents of '98 were accused.

About the year 1792 there officiated in Longford two brothers as
clergymen — one Father O'Beirne, P.P., of Templemichael, and the
other the Rev. D. O'Beirne, Protestant Rector of Templemichael, and
afterwards Bishop of Meath. In a book called " The Sham Squire "
there appears the following reference to this Mr. O'Beirne :—

" Of Bishop O'Beirne much has been written, but we never saw in
print some curious details embodied in a letter dated April 22nd, 1857,
and addressed to us by the late Mr. Wm. Porde, Town Clerk of
Dublin: — 'I can -furnish,' writes Mr. Porde, 'an interesting anecdote
of the early history of that gentleman, which I learned when very
young, living within two miles of the See-house of the diocese of Meath.
Dr. O'Beirne was never ordained a Roman Catholic priest, but was
educated at the Irish College of Paris, with a view to liis becoming a
priest. His brother. Rev. Denis O'Beirne, was educated at the same
time and in the same college, and died parish priest of the town of
Longford, of which his brother was rector. The name of the parish in
the Church is Templemichael. The history of the bishop in early life

l3)

310 HISTOEV OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

was, that having suspended his studies owing to ill-health, he returned
home for a couple of years, and was returning to college when the
following incident that altered his life occurred to him : He was travel-
ling on foot through Wales, when the day became very boisterous and
rainy, and he had to take shelter in a wayside inn. Having ordered
his dinner, he went into a little sitting-room, and in some time after-
wards two gentlemen, who were of a shooting-party, came in also for
shelter, and asked what they could have for dinner. The woman said
she could give them nothing, as the only piece of Welsh mutton she
had was down roasting for an Irishman. They said they would take
it, and Paddy might go hang ; whereupon O'Beirne walked in and
asked who was hanging Paddy, told them they could not take his
dinner by force from him, but if they would take it by invitation they
were welcome. The invitation being accepted, they began to speak
in French, when O'Beirne began to speak in it too, as he was a
perfect master of it ; and in the course of conversation he told them
who he was and what he was going to be. This led to a confidence, and
the result of it was, that on his way to Paris O'Beirne passed through
London, where he called at a house named on a card given to him
by one of the gentlemen ; and there he learned that he had become
acquainted with the Duke of Portland, who subsequently introduced
l]im to Lord Howe, with whom he went to Canada. Here he became
an apostate and Church of England Minister ; and, on his return,
through the influence of the Duke of Portland, then Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, he became first Rector of Templemichael, and afterwards
Bishop of Meath, in which position he died in 1822. He married Miss
Stuart, niece to the Earl of Moray, and wrote a comedy entitled " The
Generous Impostor," which was performed six times. During this
man's stay in Longford as rector, he usually walked and talked and was
on the best of terms with his brother the priest ; and after his removal
to Meath he lived beside Dr. Plunkett, the Catholic bishop, with whom
he kept up all the usual courtesies of life.' "

About the year 1740 there lived in Longford a butcher named Paul

HISTORY OV THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 311

Reddy, whose grave is yet plainly to be seen in Longford graveyard,
with the date of his death marked on it, 1763. Paul did a large trade,
particularly with the gentry, but was much annoyed to find that a
certain clergyman was a bad pay. At last Paul refused point blank to
give his reverence any further credit, much to the disappointment of
the latter. One Sunday, however, he sent to Paul to inform him that
if he would obhge him with a joint of beef for dinner, he would pay
him all he owed him ia a few days. The servant-boy who brought the
message was immediately hunted by the butcher, who told him he would
give it when he was paid for the last. The boy returned and, entering
the church, found his reverence preaching from the Epistle of St. Paul
to the Romans.

"And, dearly beloved brethren," said he, " what did Paul say ?"

" He said," answered the servant boy, mistaking the question, " that
he would give you more beef when you paid for the last."

The situation created by the servant-boy's answer, and understood
at once by the congregation, was so awkward for the reverend gentleman,
that he hastily wound up his discourse and descended from the pulpit.

About the year 1795, a Hessian regiment was stationed in Longford,
the men of which were so extremely sensitive to the least rebuke or
reprimand, that suicides were every day occurring in the barracks. One
morning alone there were found no less than fifteen dead men after the
night, all of them having destroyed themselves for frivolous excuses.
The fifteen men were brought out and stretched side by side on the grass,
where hundreds of people came to see the bodies ; and they were all
buried together in a large hole, at the back of the barracks, at the foot
of three large trees. This occurred at the Lower Barracks, which was
then much smaller than it is now. The regiment is said to have con-
tained a number of Catholic men, who, when the Elevation of Mass took
place, always stood up with drawn swords, and remained standing
whilst the Sacred Host was exposed. The suicides having become so
notoriously numerous, the regiment had to be disbanded and sent home.

Amongst the clergymen whose names are familiarly known to every

312 fltSTOBT OF THE COUNTy LONGFORD.

Longford man wlio loves his country and his religion, there is one that
stands out in bold relief from the rest as a patriot, priest, and scholar.
This was Father Richard Davys, who died in America, in the year
1846, whilst engaged there in the arduous task of collecting funds for
the completion of Longford Cathedral. This reverend gentleman was
— for gentle blood, high-minded patriotism, and nobkness of soul — one
of the brightest ornaments of the clergy of his diocese of that day, and
many good and touching stories are told concerning him.

During the great Repeal movement in 1843, Father Davys was one
of the most well-known and familiar faces on the Repeal platforms of
the county ; and was second only to his bishop in his ardour in the
cause. Thus, it is told of him that he never preached a sermon with-
out some political reference in it ; and so famous did his habit become,
that the Grovernment of the time stopped sending their Catholic soldiers
to twelve o'clock Mass, and sent them instead to ten o'clock, lest their
loyalty to the crown would be corrupted by listening to the patriotic
eloquence of Father Davys. On the other hand, it was always remarked
that when it was his Sunday to preach, a great many more people went
to twelve o'clock Mass than was customary, in order specially to hear
him. On one occasion, during an election — and elections in those days
meant something more than what they mean now — Father Richard heard
that a party of Tories, who came in to vote for the Government can-
didate, were in danger of being attacked when leaving the courthouse ;
so he hastened down town, and was just in time to witness the exit,
under guard, of the unpopular voters. They were immediately sur-
rounded by an angry crowd of the opposite political belief, who cheered,
groaned and flung missiles at them ; and into the thick of the crowd the
priest threw himself, with a view to restrain their somewhat inflamed
passions. The Tories meantime marched up towards Killashee-street,
in a house in which they stopped ; but when nearing the crossing at
Dublin-street, a stone was flung which floored one of the loyal minority.
Just then the priest was in the act of exhorting the crowd, for God's
sake, to be calm, when one of the Tory party, turning, sharply, caught

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 313

liiln by the shoulder, and, wheeling him suddenly to the right, almost
pressed a revolver to his forehead, whilst he swore an oath that were
another stone throAvn he would blow his brains out. The crowd was
thunderstruck at the scene, which did not occupy a minute ; and before
they could recover their senses, the Tories had vanished into their
domicile, which the presence of a large constabulary force alone saved
from being wrecked. They dispersed, however, at the wish of Father
Davys, who did not seem the least disturbed by the threat that had been
made use of to him. The last, and decidedly the most touching story
I have heard about him, occurred during his travels in America.' In
company with another young priest, he went there to collect funds for
the cathedral; and on landing at Boston both separated — one to go
northwards, and the other south. Father Davys went to the north, and
in the course of his travels visited the City of Montreal, which was
famous for the number and opulence of its Orangemen. During his
stay he met with very little support, principally because those who had
the heart to help him were poor, whilst those who could, and would not,
were rich. The night before he left, however, he heard there was to be
a great Orange dinner given in one of the leading halls of the city, and
he determined to go there and ascertain for himself if his mission were
to be a complete failure. The entrance of a Catholic priest into such
a place was, the reader may be sure, the signal for much surprise and
astonishment; but when he unfolded the cause of his entrance, the
surprise was turned into ridicule. Some laughed, some mocked, and
even some made insulting remarks to him ; but to all Father Davys had
a ready answer, and finally appealed to them as Irishmen to help him,
the majority present being Ulster Protestants. One of the members
said he would give him a subscription if he would sing for them a song
about Ireland, which suggestion was immediately loudly applauded by
all present. The reverend gentleman said he had no objection, but
asked if there would be any musical accompaniment. A piano standing
in a corner of the room was pointed out to him, and at this he took his
seat. I have said he was a scholar ; but if there was any one thing he

314 HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

excelled in, it was music. His voice, too, was beautifully soft and clear ;
and so, having tested the instrument, and found it to be one of the best
of its kind, he began the plaintive air of " The Exile of Erin" accom-
panying it with that splendid song. It was in vain those who were
.merry tried to laugh — gradually, slowly but perceptibly, a solemn
stillness pervaded the whole assemblage ; and as he proceeded, handker-
chiefs were brought into requisition, and hard-hearted, iron- willed men
of business hid their faces, to conceal the blinding tears that stood in
their eyes, until, by the time Father Davys had concluded, a single dry
eye was not to be found in the audience. Protestants and Orangemen
have often been taunted with their religious intolerance and Irish-
hating propensities ; but here was an instance where men in a distant
land, and immersed in foreign pursuits, had their souls stirred to the
very depths by a simple Irish ballad, recalling to many of them the
happy days of childhood, when they had wandered carelessly by the
Poyle or Bann. Father Davys' simple, artless appeal to their Irish
sympathies went home to their very hearts, and, in a pecuniary sense,
was the very best one he made whilst in Canada on behalf of our cathedral.
He died of heart disease in Boston, on July 4th, 1846, having been
three years collecting in America ; and the light of a noble, generous
heart and patriotic soul went out with him. But thus it is ever — blessed
be the will of an all-wise Providence. The best and purest are taken,
and the inferior remain to rough it with a hard world. To Irishmen and
Longford men, who have ever heard of Father Davys and his patriotic
sermons, it is a reproach that his grave abroad and his memory
at home are alike forgotten and unmarked. I hope it will never fade
from sight, until a fitting monument can be erected to it in a regene-
rated Ireland, which he so longed to see !

Aedagh and Moydow.

Ardagh and Moydow, which formerly were distinct parishes, are
now united, and form one parish, of which Very Rev. James Canon

HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 315

Beynolds is parish priest. There are two chapels in it — Ardagh and
Moydo-w, the former being a beautiful new building, which was conse-
crated in 1882 by Most Eev. Dr. Woodlock, assisted by the Most Rev.
Dr. M'Grettigan, of Armagh, and at the grand foundation ceremony of
which the late great orator. Father Tom Burke, O.P., preached one of his
finest sermons. The church, which is cruciform in shape, and has a
splendid front entrajnce, is built of fine dressed stone, nicely ornamented
with brown and white marble, whilst the interior decorations, both of
painting, plastering, and wood-carving, are of the most costly and
fashionable description. It has been named " St. Brigid's Church," and
is well worthy of being the church of a diocesan parish. The other is
situated in Moydow, and is a plain, unadorned country chapel, of an
old pattern in building. The Roman Catholic element in this parish is
decidedly strong, although their ranks have been sadly thinned from
time to time by eviction, emigration, and reverses of fortune.

Of the local families which claim aristocratic descent in this parish,
the principal is Fetherstone of Ardagh. The present representative of
the family is Sir George Fetherstone, who is fifth baronet of the name.
He is an absentee landlord who resides in Wales, and draws a princely
income from his estates in this parish. His residence, called " The Big
House of Ardagh," is situated on the north side of the village, and is
approached by a long avenue, lined with noble trees hundreds of
years old. It was in this mansion that the amusing incident occurred
to Oliver G-oldsmith, which is told further on.

Another family worthy of notice, in days past, were the Jessops, not
of Doory Hall, but of Mount Jessop. They were owners of a fine tract of
ground in Moydow, which they lost by their inveterate passion for gam-
bling about forty years ago. They are said to have become possessed of
the estate in a curious way. It is told that one day, during the plantation
regiw.e, there came a discharged soldier to the town of Longford,
who asked to be shown certain portions of land in Moydow
which he was after being granted for his services to the Parlia-
ment. The man that inet him was a butler in the local inn in

316 HISTORY or THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

Longford, who was possessed of some money ; and he volunteered
to show the discharged trooper the lands. He conducted him
up to the top of Castlerea, or Slieve Golry Mountain, and pointed
out to him the bleakest and most uninviting portions of that sterile hill.
The man was much disgusted with the prospect before him, and said if
he saw any man who would give him £5 and a horse to carry him to
Dublin, he would sell him his right to the lands. The butler took him
at his word, handed him out the money, and got him a horse, and in
return received the title-deeds of a property which he converted into
the Moimt Jessop Estate, being the first of its owners himself. " 111
got, ill gone," is, however, an old maxim, and the last owner of the
lands put them beyond his reach for ever, by risking them on a game
of cards at a ball in the Military Barracks of Longford, and losing
them, as well as every penny he was possessed of, in one night.

One of the oldest gentlemen's residences in the County Longford is
Bawn House, in the half-parish of Moydow, and distant about a mile
from the chapel. This old house is now slrat up, and presents, as it
stands away down in the fields, to the eye of a person standing on the
road, a forlorn and deserted appearance; and yet there are many
weird stories in connection with it.

Immediately behind Bawn House stand the ruins of the ancient
Castle of Moydow, or Moydumha. Some people suppose that these
ruins formed the old Priory of St. Modiud the Simple. Such is not the
case. Anyone can see that the ruins now standing were surrounded
by a deep fortified moat, and that the building itself consisted of the
usual tower and square keep. This, in fact, was the ancient Castle of
the Lord of Moydumha, which was sacked in the thirteenth century at
the time that Barry and Camagh Castles were levelled. I am sure
that if any expert in antiquarian matters visits these ruins, he will
agree with me as to their original purpose.

There is a very tragic story told in connexion with Bawn House.
In 1770 the "Whiteboys" were very strong in numbers and very
determined in action all over Ireland. As history tells, they were

.ti?^

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 319

first called " Levellers," from the fact of their assembling at night and
leTelling the fences with which the landlords endeavoured to enclose
certain commons that had previously belonged to the people. But the
pent-up agony of a long persecuted race having once found vent, was
not to be easily crushed, and for a period of twenty years the " White-
boys " were the only protection the unfortunate Catholics had in their
troubles. These men, most of whom banded themselves together for
the one noble object— to relieve their distressed condition — when going
to do any act of violence, blackened their faces and put on a white shirt
over their dress as a disguise, from which they were called " White-
boys." For many years they, by the very terror of their name, imposed
a restraint on the landlords and agents who were inclined to oppress
the people — which was most essential to the very existence of the latter ;
and when they were at length condemned by the priests of the Church,
it was because unscrupulous persons had, by bloody acts, turned the
association to their own base purposes.

About the year 1780 there lived in Bawn House a certain Captain
Barnes, agent over several estates in the neighbourhood of Moydow,
and famed among the people as an uncompromising exterminator of
the tenants, whom he ruled with a rod of iron. On a certain
November night he was after collecting the rents of his estates, and
was engaged upstairs with' his clerk in counting up his money and
making out his accounts. Wlaile thus engaged, a thundering summons
came to the front door, and immediately divining the cause, Barnes and
his clerk piled up a lot of furniture on the main stairway, first locking
the room in which the money was left. The summons to open the door
not being answered, the men, who were Whiteboys that had previously
committed several acts of violence in the neighbourhood, burst it in with
a log of a tree, which they used as a ram, and were about to rush
upstairs when Barnes fired down on them. The shot did not kill any
person, and the leader of the party, seeing Barnes about to fire again,
immediately took aim and shot him dead on the top of the stairs. The
rest of them then ran up and knocked the clerk on the head, leaving him

1 K

320 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONQFOED.

senseless, whilst they entered Barnes' office and abstracted every penny
he was after receiving that day. The military authorities hearing of
the attack, turned out next day from Longford and captured a dozen
of men, of whom several were hanged on the evidence of an informer,
who did not receive any of the money taken from Barnes, and turned
king's evidence on that account.

In reference to the Jessop family, the old house of Mount Jessop is
at present extant in which one of them, who was just after succeeding
to the estate, committed suicide. It occurred about the year 1820, and
caused great comment at the time. He was an ofl&cer in the army, and
had a fine prospect before him, but desired to marry an inferior in rank
to himself, with whom he was in love. This, his guardian. Sir George
Fetherstone, of Ardagh, would not allow, and the young man grew
melancholy thereon, and died by his own hand. When the news of the
deed was conveyed to Ardagh, Sir George galloped over to Mount
Jessop, caused the body of the young man to be dragged out on the
lobby, turned out all the servants, and sealed up the whole house. The
body was buried at night — none knew where. This melancholy occur-
rence happened about ten years prior to the family losing their property
by gambling.

A horrible tragedy was enacted in the Fetherstone mansion at
Ardagh. The circumstances of the case forcibly point the moral
that " mocking is catching." About that time the then baronet
kept a large retinue of servants and workmen of all descriptions.
Among the latter there were a carpenter, and a gardener who
was deaf and dumb. The carpenter was in the habit, as he deemed
it, of playing with the dumb man — throwing pieces of wood at him, and
in various ways annoying him. • Frequently his fellow-servants and
tradesmen warned him that some day or oth-er the victim of these jokes
would resent them, and bring him to an account for them; but he dis-
regarded their warning and continued his pranks. One day in summer,
the weather being very close and sultry, he fell asleep in his workshop,
with his head resting on his own block, The dummy, in passing to his

HtSTORT OF THE COUNTY LONGl'OED. 321

work, happened to look in to see was John inside, and beheld him in
the position described. Instantly the treatment he had for so long a
time endured at his hands, and the awful temptation to rid himself of
such a nuisance, flashed across his mind, and, with the cunning of such
persons, he crept into the workshop. Here he searched till he found
the carpenter's own hatchet, the poor fellow unconsciously sleeping all
the time ; and, with one blow of this murderous weapon he severed his
head from the body. The wretched man (now a maddened murderer)
then rushed out into the country, where he roamed at free will for many
days, until captured by the authorities, when he was sent to Mary-
borough Lunatic Asylum.

It was in Ardagh House that, in 1744, the celebrated scene took
place between Miss Fether stone and Oliver Goldsmith, which subse-
quently led him to write his famous comedy of " The Mistakes of a
Night." Groldsmith was at school at the time with a classical teacher
named Rev. Patrick Hughes, of Edgeworthstown, and, in his biography
by Irving, the following account is given of his experiences in Arda.gh
House : —

" An amusing incident is related as occurring on Groldsmith's last
journey home from Edgeworthstown. His father's house was about
twenty miles distant ; the road lay through a rough country, impas-
sable for carriages. Goldsmith procured a horse for the journey, and
a friend furnished him with a guinea for travelling expenses. He was
but a stripling of sixteen, and being thus mounted on horseback, with
money in his pocket, it is no wonder his head was turned. He deter-
mined to play the man, and to spend the money in true traveller's style.
Accordingly, instead of pushing directly for home, he halted for the
night at the little town of Ardagh, and, accosting the first person he
met, inquired with somewhat of a consequential air for the best house
in the place. Unluckily, the person he accosted, one Kelly, was a
notorious wag, who was quartered in the house of Mr. Fetherstone, the
local gentleman of fortune. Amused with the self -consequence of the
stripling, and willing to play off a practical joke at his expense, he

322 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOKD.

directed him to what was literally ' the best house in the place ' — the
family mansion of Mr. Fetherstone. Goldsmith accordingly rode- up
to what he deemed to be an inn, ordered his horse to be taken to the
stables, walked into the parlour, seated himself by the fire, and
demanded what he could have for supper. On ordinary occasions he
was diffident and even awkward in his manners, but here he was at his
ease in his inn, and felt called upon to show his manhood and enact the
experienced traveller. His person was by no means calculated to play
off his pretensions, for he was short and thick, with a pockmarked
face, and an air and carriage by no means of a distinguished cast. The
owner of the house, however, soon discovered his whimsical mistake,
and, being a man of humour, endeavoured to indulge it, especially as he
accidentally learned that his intruding guest was the son of an old
acquaintance. Accordingly, Goldsmith was ' fooled to the top of his
bent,' and permitted to have full sway throughout the evening. Never
was schoolboy more elated. When supper was served, he most con-
descendingly insisted that the landlord, his wife, and daughter should
partake, and ordered a bottle of wine to crown the repast and benefit
the house. His last flourish was on going to bed, when he ordered a
hot cake for breakfast. His confusion and dismay on learning the next
morning that he had been swaggering in this free and easy style in the
house of a private gentleman, may be easily conceived. Goldsmith,
who had flirted to his heart's content during the evening with Miss
Fetherstone, who personated the servant-maid to obtain his attention,
went away from Ardagh very crestfallen; but, in his usual good
humour, he turned the whole affair into a joke, in producing from it the
play of ' She Stoops to Conquer, or the Mistakes of a Night,' years after,
when he became a famous man."

An anecdote is told of Sir Walter Scott in reference to a visit he
made to this parish. It is told that when he was visiting Maria Edge-
worth, about the year 1800, he drove with her to the house of Sir
George Fetherstone. In passing along the road, they met a little boy
minding a sow and her little pigs, who were actively engaged in rooting

HISTOET OP THE COCNTY LONGFORD. 323

up the ground in all directions. Sir Walter, as became a canny Scot,
when he came as far as the boy, asked, " "Who owns the pigs, boy P "
" The sow, sir," promptly answered the boy, which so pleased Sir
Walter that he produced his purse and gave the youngster a guinea,
much to the latter's delight.

In the parish of Ardagh occurred many strange things, but none
more strange than the libel of St. Brigid. It is told that in the days of
St. Patrick, St. Brigid paid a visit to Ardagh, where she was received
with profound respect; but, as usually happens everywhere, some
person told some lying story about her, which reached her ears, and
was such a source of annoyance to her, that she went to St. Patrick and
complaiUjed to him of the scandal given her. St. Patrick, too, was
profoundly annoyed that one so holy and so good should be scandalized ;
and, in order to prove to the world that she was innocent of the lie
told about' her, he ordered her to place a flaming live coal in her bosom,
and carry it from the Cross of Ardagh to the Pound of Killen, a
distance of about three miles. St. Brigid did so, and threw out the
coal at the end of her journey as fresh as ever, and without the smallest
burn being inflicted. She returned then to St. Patrick, and related to
him the result, whereupon he became very vexed, and prophesied that
the 'parish would never be without a rogue or a liar. This much is told
in tradition ; and the shrewd inhabitants, watching the different town-
lands from time to time, have pitched the onus of the prophecy on
different places, according as the course of events verified it. The
whole thing, however, may be as mythical as the story of the old woman
and St. Patrick, for all that I can prove aio contraire ; but on many
occasions I have heard it, not from outside authorities, but parishioners
themselves.

The Pound of Killen seems to have been an important part of the
parish in old times. There is a tradition amongst the people that, some
two or three hundred years ago, the broken bottom land on the right
side of the road, as one goes from Longford to Ardagh, was covered
with a large sheet of water, which was called St. Brigid's Lake, and

324 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOftD.

"whicli gave rise to two streams running counter to each other — a
phenomenon not every day witnessed. The land does look certainly
like as though once covered with water, for flaggers, rushes, and other
watery plants, cover its broken surface in profusion. In Cromwell's
Survey of Ireland, it is mentioned that in the year 1651 there stood at
the head of this lake the ruins of an old castle, the property of
O'Farrell of Ballynesaggard. But of this structure none now remain
at all ; and the deserted Pound of Killen testifies that

" Past are all the glories "
of this once memorable spot.

In the townland of Cross, in Ardagh, there is the remains of an old
cross, oil which people were accustomed formerly to do stations of
penance ; and at Glenn there was an ancient graveyard well worthy of
a visit. St. Brigid's Well and Sunday "Well, in this parish, have at all
times been considered by the people to be very holy places.

About Castlerea Mountain is told a very old legend. This mountain
is also called Slieve Grolry. Mr. O'Donovan tells it as follows : —

" The mountain in the parish of Ardagh, now called Slieve Grolry,
was anciently called Brigh Leath, and a legend is taken, in reference to
it, from the Book of Tara. In this Book it is related, in the old Irish
style, that a comely chieftain's son, named Leath, loved Bri, jfthe
daughter of a powerful chief who lived on this hill, then called TuUy-
na-hearinaghtrihi ; and, coming with his servants to Midir, her father,
asked the beautiful Bri as his wife. Midir refused to give her, where-
upon a fight ensued, and the result was that Leath was vanquished.
Bri then returned to her father's house, from which she had fled, and
died of a broken heart, the mountain ever after, until the last century^
being called Bri Leath. It is now called Castlereagh Mountain, or
sometimes Slieve Golry."

The Fetherstones of Ardagh received their baronetcy about the year
1780, the first baronet being Sir Ealph Fetherstone, who entered the
Irish Parliament as a representative of the county on October 22nd,
1765. They have held the title of baronets since, and Sir Thomas,

HISTOET OF THE COUNITT LONGFORD. 325

who sat in the Irish Parliament during the days of the Union, was one
of the rotten members who, for bribery and corruption, sold the liberty
of their country ; and, as far as we can find out, the succeeding
generations of this family are true to the traditions gone before them.
Ardaichaidh of the days of St. Patrick has many ancient historical
facts to recommend it ; and not the least of these is, that in the days
when to. be a Catholic was to be an alien almost, the thought of ancient
Ardagh buoyed up many a wayfarer's heart to struggle on for his faitli
and his country.

Cakeickedmond.

This parish corresponds to the Protestant parish of Taghsheenod,
and its capital is the village of Tashinny. The small village of Barry
is also within its parochial bounds. Barry is called after St. Barry, or
St. Bearach, an ancient saint held in great veneration by the people of
Longford and Roscommon. Outside the village of Barry are to be
seen the ruins of Barry Castle, levelled to the ground in 1295' by
Geoffry O'Farrell, Chieftain of Annaly, to avenge an affront offered to
him by the Chieftain of Magh Breaghagh. At the same time O'Farrell
demolished Moydow Castle. Mr. O'Donovan thinks that this parish
should be dedicated to St. Seuecha ; but he says that such a saint is not
now remembered amongst its inhabitants. The Castle of Mornine,
formerly the inheritance of Sir Matthew O'Farrell, and erected by the
O'Farrells in 1400, stands near Barry, in this parish.

Clough.

The parish of Clough corresponds to the Protestant parish of Kil-
commick, and is placed under the patronage of St. Dominick. Mr.
O'Donovan says this is wrong, and that the rightful patron of Kilcom-
mick is St. Da-Camoc^, who was an Irish saint of much celebritv. The
following historical notes are given by him in reference to the parish of
St. Da-Camog : —

" 1476. Jeffry, son of Siacus, Prior of Abbeyderg, died, and was
interred in the monastery bearing that name.

326 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY I.ONGFOED,

" 1519. Mavilin, son of Torna O'Mulconry, oUave to Sil Murray, an
exceedingly learned man, selected by the Greraldines and others to be
their ollave in preference to all others, died at Mainster Derg, and was
interred there."

A holy well exists in this parish, which is dedicated to St. Dominick.

Legan.

This parish corresponds to the Protestant parish of Kilglass, and was
the place where dwelt St. Echea, in the days of St. Patrick.

In the parish of Legan is the old cemetery of Kilglass, which is
reached by means of a small bridle-path across the fields, and is now
almost entirely closed, except to those who have the right of interment
in it. Yery old headstones stand in this cemetery, which, I have been
informed, was once on a time the burying-place of the O'Parrells of
Ardan-dragh. In reference to this family, it is told in tradition that
they owned Legan, and that part of the parish near Ardagh called Rath-
reagh. The last of the name who possessed this property took into his
household a valet named Fox, who, in addition to being of comely person
and attractive figure, was a smart scholar. He pretended to O'Farrell,
his master, that he was in love with a beautiful girl near Mullingar,
whose hand he was sure of winning, could he but show her that he was
a man of property. He, therefore, begged that he would be given the
loan of O'Parrell's deeds for a short time, to enable him to gain his
ends. O'Farrell, foolishly enough, gave them to him, and when he
asked them back again, instead of receiving them, he was told by this
gentleman that if he dared say anything except that he had purchased
them from him, he would turn him out of the place altogether ; and
thus O'Farrell lost his estates and Fox got them. This is a tradition
about the Fox family handed down in this parish ; but I think it is more
or less incorrect, and that the property of O'Farrell was at an early
date confiscated, and handed over to the Foxes. Of course, were we
allowed to peruse the family papers or deeds of these people, we could
then give a true account of how their forefathers became landowners,

histoet of the county longfoltd. 329

Rathcline.

According to O'Hart, the parish of Eathcline, and part of the parish
of Newtowncashel, in olden times formed the inheritance of the
O'Quinns, who were styled Lords of Rathcline, and had their castle,
the ruias of which were very extensive, a very short distance from the
present town of Lanesborough. But Mr. John O'Donovan thinks that
Grranard and the northern portions of the County Longford was the
location of the Muintir Grilligain, or the country of the O'Quinns, whilst
the ancient name of Rathcline was Caladh-na-H'Anghaile, or, as we
might translate it, "the Callows of Annaly." Now, whilst I
cannot pretend to deal with such a vast subject as the ancient
topography of the County Longford — a subject requiring deep research
and a thorough mastery of the old Celtic tongue — yet I am inchned
to beHeve that the parish of Newtowncashel formed the ancient
tract of Caladh-na-H'Angaile, whilst the territory of the Lords of Rath-
cline extended from Rathcline Castle, which had been built beside
Lough Ree to guard against invasion, to the bridge of Ballyclare, in the
parish of Killashee, and southwards as far as the present town of
Kenagh. In this behef I am borne out by the Clan Map of Ireland, which
marks the Castle of Rathcline as existing near Lanesborough ; and by
O'Harte, who says : — " O'Cuinn had his Castle at Rathcline, in the
County Longford," and "the Muintir Magellan (Magillan), whose
Castle was at Rathcline, were located in the territory of Muintir Eoluis,
in the northern portion of the County Longford, and their chief was
O'Quinn."

The town of Lanesborough is built on the Shannon, and the parishes

of Rathcline and Newtowncashel (the latter including the isles of Inis-

boffin, Inchyana, Inisclothran, and All Saints' Islands) also extend

along by the Shannon. Both of them border on Lough Ree — the great

" king of lakes " — which, in the days of the Pagan Invasion of Ireland,

was the scene of many bloody encounters between the Danes and the

Irish, as well as the Irish themselves.

] F

330 HISTORY OF THE COUNT! LONGFORD.

The ruins of Fermoyle House lie a short distance from the present
town of Lanesborough. It is said by some people that this old house
is not more than one hundred years deserted, and that its last occupiers
were a band of travelling tinkers. When the castle was given up as a
dwelling-place, it belonged to a lady who lived in Dublin, and is since
deceased. She took no particular care of it, and soon it became the
residence of every tinker, piper, and stray traveller in the country.
At length the people of the locality declined to have their hen-roosts
visited and robbed at night, and some of their sheep cooked in the large
hall of Fermoyle House; and they complained to the agent of the
owner of the nuisance to which they were subjected. He came down
like a wolf on the fold, expelled the invaders, and stripped the roof of
the building, which has since remained a smouldering ruins. I insert
here the following further historical notes I have collected about these
parishes : —

The Gallows. — The district in the County of Longford and parish of
Newtowncashel, now called The Callows, was anciently called Oaladh-
na-H'Angaile ; and the following references are quoted in a manuscript
I have seen about it : — %

" A.D. 1411. Mortogh Midheach, the son of Brian O'Farrell, Lord of
Caladh-na-H'Angaile — a man who was never censured — died.

" 1486. Griolla-na-naomh, son of Ponnell, son of Mortogh Midheach,
Lord of Caladh-na-H'Angaile, died.

" 1572. The sons of the Earl (of Eoscommon, I think) next
plundered the district lying between the River Suck and Shannon, and
pillaged every person who was on friendly terms with the English as far
as the gates of Athlone. Afterwards, keeping the Shannon on the
right hand, they marched directly outwards to Slieve Baghnad-tuath,
crossed the ferry of Anghaile, and burned Athleague."

The place in which dwelt these lords of Caladh-na-H'Angaile is now
represented by the ruins of Elfeete Castle, in the townland of Elfeete,
on the shores of Lough Ree. The old castle consists of a very high
tower and some old walls, and is in a tolerably good state of preser-

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY lONGFOED. 331

vatioix, being built of large blocks of stones firmly bonded together with
the ancient compound known as grout. This old castle, and the height
on which it is erected, as well as the wild scenery about it, is very well '
worthy of a visit, indeed, from any person who would like to enjoy the
antique and picturesque in combination ; and although its distance from
Longford and other towns renders it somewhat difficult of access to
persons unacquainted with the locality, yet I am considerably surprised
that travellers do not frequently visit it.

There are but few stories available in reference to these parishes ;
but, taking them in their present-day appearance, I am forced to the
belief that ancient Caladh-na-H'Angaile, or the parish of Newtown-
cashel, was at all times a legend-giving locality. One of the stories I
have heard in connexion with it is in relation to Saints' Island. In
this island there is a graveyard where a large proportion of the inhabi-
tants of Newtowncashel are interred. Up to' about fifty or sixty years
ago there was a remarkable flat stone in this island, which was said to
be possessed of a very unwonted power. This was, that when a funeral
arrived at the shore of the lake, preparatory to being transmitted to
its last resting-place, the stone was always standing still on the surface
of the water, waiting to carry across to the island the remains of the
deceased. Incredible as this may seem, it was, nevertheless, a fact.
The coffin was placed on the stone, which was elongated and slab-like,
and, in the twinkling of an eye, had cleft the waters and deposited its
burden on the shore of Saints' Island, whilst the friends followed in
their boats, and the stone returned to its resting-place. One day a
certain family went to bury a friend in the island, and, either on their
return from or entry to it, one of their number committed a nuisance
on the stone, which immediately sank to the bottom of the lake, nor
could the person who committed this sacrilege ever lift his eyes
from the downward position in which they were at the time he did
the deed.

There was another tradition in reference to this island, which shows
the sacred feelings with which it was regarded by the people. Men or

332 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

■women, when they wanted to protest the truth in a very solemn manner,
always swore — " By the Crineeve ;" or called that word to witness the
truth of their assertion. Their reason for this was, that there was a
stone figure on this island representing a man's head ; and the people
believed that if they took an oath in the presence of this figure, and
that the substance of their declaration was untrue, the result would be
that their own heads would be turned on their bodies.

During the Cromwellian visitation of Ireland, it is told that there
lived in Clonbonny House one of the descendants of the O'Farrells of
Annaly, with his two daughters. This man was old and feeble, and
fearing he would not be able to defend his daughters in case of attack,
he resolved to go into an island in Loughbonny. He did so, and lived
there for some time in perfect security ; but one day, when fishing in
the lake, one of his daughters was seen by two Cromwellian troopers.
The soldiers hallooed to her to come to land ; but she, not minding
their menaces or their threats, rowed beyond the island out of sight.
Here she pulled a plug out of her little boat, which sank to the bottom
of the lake, and she scrambled on shore. At first the soldiers seemed
inclined to go away, but after some time they began to fire shots at the
island, on which was her sister and father. Seeing their conduct was
likely to bring more soldiers on the spot, her father took aim at them,
and missed ; whereupon she rested the gun on his shoulder and fired,
and killed both men at the same discharge. She and her family sub-
sequently lived to enjoy the reward of their courage.

Lough Bannow, which is on the right-hand side of the road from
Lanesborough to Longford, is so called because, when the road to
Longford was but a bridle-path, a large lot of pigs coming from fairs
used to be drowned in the lake, which is of a marshy, boggy bottom, but
not deep— hence the name Bannow, which means "little pigs."

A writer on " The Beauties of Ireland " says : —

" The town of Lanesborough, seated on the River Shannon, derives the
first part of its appellation from the family of Lane, formerly proprietors
of this place, and ennobled by the title of Viscount Lanesborough.

HISTOEY 01' THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 333

Tkis small town consists of no more than about sixty houses, and affords
few objects to interest the traveller. The River Shannon is here
crossed by a substantial bridge, erected in the year 1706, towards the
expense of which £100 was contributed by James Yiscount Lanes-
borough. The parochial church is formed from the nave of an ancient
structure, traditionally termed an abbey, having some remains of a
square tower at the west end. No monastic foundation of this place is
noticed by any historian, but some traces of such an institution may
possibly still be discovered, on a diligent investigation of the records.
Several of the noble family of Lane are buried in a vault beneath this
church.

" On the failure of heirs male in the family of Lane, in the early part
of the eighteenth century, Brinsley Butler, Baron of JSTewtown-Butler,
was (August 12th, 1728) created Yiscount Lanesborough ; and Hum-
phrey, the eldest son of that nobleman, was, in 1756, raised to the
dignity of Earl of Lanesborough, which titles are still enjoyed by his
descendants. At the distance of about two miles from Lanesborough
are the ruins of Bathline, or Rathdine Gastle. These vestiges are
situated at the base of the hill of Eathline, and on the margin of ,the
River Shannon. The situation is extremely fine, and the ruins are
picturesque and interesting. This castle is said to have been first
erected by the family of O'Quin, and many sanguinary contests for
possession of its embattled walls are still remembered by traditionary
records, although unnoticed by the regular historians of the country.
The fortress was dismantled by Cromwell, and was afterwards reduced
by fire in the wars of James II. It is observed by Seward that ' a
very ancient inscription, cut in the Irish character on a marble slab, and
fixed in the wall of one of the rooms, was removed or destroyed by a
gentleman who lately resided in the modern house, built close to the
castle from its ruins.' In the vicinity of the castle are the remains of
a church, evincing considerable antiquity, with an attached cemetery,
still used as a place of burial for Catholics. The town of Lanesborough
is situated in the parish of Rathline.

334 filSTOBY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

" At the distance of one mile from Lanesborough is the residence of
Captain Davys, agreeably situated on the eastern banks of the
Shannon.

" On the south-west border of this county the Eiver Shannon expands
into that noble spread of water, which has been already noticed in our
account of Westmeath, under the name of Loughree. Such parts of
this Lough as are contiguous to the County of Longford are inter-
spersed with various islands, and afford some of its most pleasing
features to a district little indebted to nature for picturesque charms.
On several of the islands in Loughree, monastic institutions were
founded at early periods."

James Stephens, the celebrated Fenian Chieftain, says, in a
publication of his in the columns of the Weekly Freeman, that the
County of Longford can compare favourably with any county in
Ireland for the number, variety, and beauty of its legends, as well as
the vividly-narrative style in which they are told by the peasantry;
and I believe he quotes more than one legend about the parish of
RathcHne in reference to a white mare that (as tradition told) used to
come up out of Lough Bannow and eat a poor man's vegetables,
until by some potent means he managed to " settle " the noxious
visitor.

The Town of Bally jtahon.

Ballymahon is a small town consisting of about 1,200 inhabitants,
situated on the main road between Longford and Athlone, and about
midway between both towns. Consequently the reader will admit that
if the town of Ballymahon existed in the stormy days of the thirteenth,
fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries, it would have been an important
post between Grranard, in the north of Longford, and Athlone, on the
borders of Westmeath. But we have no positive information that
Ballymahon did exist in those days ; and it is more possible than pro-
bable that, situated as it was, if it did exist, there would be historical
reference made to it somewhere. The earliest mention recorded of

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 335

tMs neiglibourhood is the year 1578, being the year of the sup-
pression of the Abbey of Shrewle, when it is recorded that certain
houses and lands adjoining in " the town of Ballymanaghe " were
conveyed to Robert Dillon, his heirs and assigns, for ever.

What occurred next in the history of the little town is best told in
a tradition handed down among the people in the neighbourhood, and
immortalized in the " Poem to Grracie," by " Leo." This has reference
to the present owner of Ballymahon, and is to the effect that when
De Ginkle invested Athlone, there came in his train an old fellow named
Molyneux, who was after obtaining a grant of the lands of Ballymahon,
for his services to William III.

This old man, when he came to take up his residence in the old
mansion at Ballymulvey, found there three Dominican monks, who
were, it seems, hiding. At the end of this house there was a fish-pond,
round which grew a number of crab-apple trees. The house was built,
as is the present one, almost on the banks of the Inny. Old Molyneux
was an ardent hater of monkery, and his immediate action, on finding
the poor men, was to have them hanged out of the trees over the fish-
pond. It is told that when the poor men were dead, each of them was
observed to point the index finger into the water; and it was not
long until it was known that whenever Molyneux went to drink out of
any vessel, three index fingers were pointed up to him, as if it were
the monks were pointing out their murderer. This visitation continued
to annoy Molyneux for many years, until at length it became intolerable
to him. It is said that he repaired to a holy bishop then in Dubim,
through whose intercession for him the ugly reminder was removed.
All this is, of course, mere tradition.

Ballymahon has in its day produced two ornaments to Irish literary
character, whose names will be remembered in the locality as long as
the Grreen Isle peeps above the Atlantic. The first of these was Oliver
Goldsmith, the celebrated London poet and writer, and the second was
John K. Casey, the life and soul of the Fenian movement in his district
in the days of ^&7. To Oliver Goldsmith I do not know is it necessary

336 HISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGfOED.

for me to refer at any lengtli, for I am sure that in those days of
enlightenment and education every schoolboy is acquainted with the
life, times, and writings of the author of " The Deserted Village."
However, as a portion of my original plan of this work purports dealing
with " the illustrious sons of Annaly," amongst whom I reckon Oliver
Goldsmith, I will quote his life from a contemporary literary critical
writer, after which I will relate some anecdotes illustrative of his good-
humour and good-nature.

" 1728-1774. One of the most charming writers of the eighteenth
century was Oliver Groldsmith, whose works are stamped with gentle
grace and elegance. He was born in the village of New Pallas, in the
County Longford, and in 1745 entered Trinity College ih the humble
capacity of sizar. Here his career was eminently strange ; and after
failing to take out a medical degree, he at length went to Edinburgh
with the same object ; but having failed there also, he was sent to
Leyden, in Holland, where he took out some kind of a diploma. He
then started on a tour on the Continent on foot, and visited in his
travels France, Switzerland, Italy, and parts of Austria, returning to
London in 1756. Here he began life as an usher in a school ; then as
an apothecary ; then as a tutor ; and finally began to practise medicine.
Whilst assisting to teach .school he became acquainted with a
Mr. Grriffiths, proprietor of the Monthly Review, who engaged him
to contribute pieces to his periodical in the capacity of (at that
time a very common employment) literary hack. This laid the
foundation of Oliver's future literary career — a career pursued
amid all the poverty, misery, and uncertainty of a man's life
who depends upon his wits or the produce of his pen to make a
living; and after a hard struggle with adversity he died in 1774,
having established for himself the name of being the most generous
alms-giver, the best poet, the most pleasant prose writer, and the
most genial companion of his day."

Oliver Goldsmith's works include — " Letters from a Citizen of the
World," " Life of Beau Nash," « History of England," " The Vicar of

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HISTOET OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 339

Wakefield" (1766), "History of Eome" (1768), "The Deserted
Village " (1770), " The Traveller," " She Stoops to Conquer,"
" Eetaliation," " The Haunch of Venison," " The History of Greece,"
and " The History of Animated Nature." Some of these works rank
as first-class masterpieces of their style, such as the poems, " The
Traveller " and " Deserted Village," and the comedies of " She Stoops
to Conquer," and " The Grood-natured Man." " The Vicar of AYake-
field " and the " Letters of a Citizen of the World " also rank as
some of the best and purest of good English compositions.

Oliver's mistakes and mishaps in this life have often enough been the
subject of laughter to all those who have read of his chequered career ;
and it seems to me that in attempting, as it were, to rip up the ground
afresh, I would be doing that which would neither reflect credit on me
nor on the subject of my pen ; therefore, I will simply cursorily refer
to these stories, lest, perchance, I might offend the susceptible or irri-
tate the critic. Oliver's purse and friendship was ever open to the needy
and distressed, as I have said before. Thus, when appealed to by either
a professional beggar or a fitting subject of charity, he never refused a
gift. Whilst in Trinity College, he was one day during the middle of
winter, and whilst himself suffering from extreme poverty, accosted by
a poor woman, who told him that her husband was in prison, and she
.and her children were starving for want of food. Oliver had not tasted
food for twenty-four hours at the time. However —

" His pity gave ere charity began "

in this case ; for, remembering that he had at home on his bed a good
blanket and coverlet, he brought them to the poor woman and gave
them to her, telling her to sell them for food for her and her children.
Next morning when a friend went to call Goldsmith, he could see
nothing on the bedstead but the bare mattress of feathers After call-
ing some time, however, a head was popped up out of a hole cut in the
cover, and Oliver announced to the astonished visitor that he would be
with him directly. Goldsmith, having no other shift to make for a bed

IG

340 -HISTOET OP THE OOUNTT LONGFOED.

after his extravagant gift, cut a hole in the feather tick, and slept in
the feathers all night.

The death of Goldsmith's father in 1747 rendered his condition at
college so precarious, that in addition to receiving gifts from his friends
to support him, he was often compelled to pawn his books for a support.
It was then that he began first to scribble verses, which he used to sell
privately to a small shop for five shillings a piece. He would then
stroll out of an evening to listen to them being sung by ballad-singers
in the streets of Dublin, and to observe how the crowd received them.

After an attempted attack on Newgate Prison, made by the T.C.D.
madcaps, in which several of the warriors came to grief, Groldsmith
gave a feast in his rooms to make up for the disgrace which he, as one
of the rioters, suffered. He had just won one of the minor prizes of
the college, value thirty shillings, and thought by him to be a little
fortune. He forthwith gave a dance and a supper in his rooms to
several persons of both sexes from the city, which was a flagrant viola-
tion of the rules ; but the sound of the fiddle reaching poor Noll's
tutor's ears, he rushed to the room, inflicted corporal punishment on
the father of the feast, and turned the astounded guests out of doors.

Groldsmith's description of his life in Edinburgh, to which he had
gone to study medicine and to take out a degree (in both of which he,
as usual, failed), is witty and laughable. Describing the hostess's
method of making up a hocus-pocus mess for him, he wrote : —

"A loin of mutton would serve me and two fellow-students for a
week. A brandered chop was served up one day, a steak another,
collops with onion sauce a third, and so on until the fleshy parts were
quite consumed, when finally a dish of broth was manufactured from
the bones on the seventh day, and the landlady rested from her
labours."

En route from Edinburgh to Leyden, in Holland, to study medicine,
the ship was forced by stress of weather to put into Newcastle. Here
Goldsmith and other voyagers went on shore to refresh themselves, but
were taken prisoners, on suspicion of being French spies. This arrest

HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 341

saved Groldsmitli's life, for the vessel sailed without him, and was lost,
with all hands, at the mouth of the Garonne, in France. On his arrival
in Holland he wrote home the following description of a Dutchman :—

" The modern Dutchman is quite a different creature from him of
former days ; he in everything imitates a Frenchman but in his easy
way. He is vastly ceremonious, and like a Frenchman in the days of
Louis XIV. Such are the better bred ; but the downright Hollander
is one of the oddest figures in nature. Upon a lank head of hair he
wears a half-cocked, narrow hat, laced with black ribbon ; no coat, but
seven waistcoats and nine pairs of breeches, so that his hips reach
almost to his armpits. This well-clothed vegetable is now fit to see
company or to make love. But what a pleasing creature is the object
of his appetite ! Why, she wears a large fur cap with a deal of
Flanders lace ; and for every pair of breeches he carries she puts on
two petticoats."

On his travels through the Continent, during which he picked up
the materials for his splendid poem, The Traveller, Goldsmith became
travelling tutor at Geneva to a mongrel young gentleman, son of a
London pawnbroker, and himself an attorney's clerk before a legacy
left him plenty of money, of which he was a pettyfogging miser.
Goldsmith describes their connection as follows : — " I was to be the
young gentleman's governor, with the proviso that he should always
govern himself. Avarice was his ruling passion, and all his qiiestions
on the road were, how money could be saved, and whether anything, if
bought on the way, could be turned to good account in London. Such
curiosities as could be seen for nothing, he was ready enough to see ;
but if the sight of them was to be paid for, he usually asserted that he
had been told they^ere not worth looking at. He never paid a bill that
he would not remark how amazingly expensive travelling was ; and all
this, although not yet twenty-one. Arrived at Leghorn, as we took a
walk to get a view of the port, he inquired the expense of a passage by
sea home to England; and finding it was but a trifle compared to
his return by land, he paid me the small part of my salary that was

342 5IST0EY or the COITNTY LONQFOED.

due, took his leave, and departed, with, only one attendant, for
London."

After Groldsmith's return to London, in 1756, he became usher in
a boarding-school, his career in which may be pretty well understood
from the following extract from one of his works : —

" This is, indeed, a pretty career that has been chalked out for me.
I have been an usher at a boarding-school myself, and may I die by an
anodyne necklace, but I had rather be under-turnkey in Newgate ! I
was up early and late, browbeat by the master, hated for my ugly face
by the mistress, worried by the boys within, and never permitted to
stir out to receive civility abroad. But are you sure you are fit for the
position ? Let us examine you a little. Have you been bred apprentice
to the business ? No ! — then you won't do for a school. Can you dress
the boys' hair ? No ! — then you won't do for a school. Have you had
the small-pox ? No ! — then you won't do for a school. Can you lie
three in a bed ? No ! — then you will never do for a school. Have you a
good stomach ? Yes ! — then you will by no means do for a school. The
truth is, in spite of all their efforts to please, the tutors are generally
the laughing-stock of the school."

After trying his hand at medicine for some time, he had again
recourse to the schools as a method of earning a living ; and here he met
the editor of the Monthly Review, who gave him his first task in litera-
ture ; and after some time he began to sell literary productions to a
Mr. Thomas Newbury, a bookseller in St. Paul's Churchyard, whom
Goldsmith subsequently described as follows, in his own work, the
"Yicar of Wakefield":—

" This person was no other than the philanthropic bookseller in St.
Paul's Churchyard, who has written so many little books for children ;
he called himself their friend, but he was the friend of all mankind.
He was no sooner alighted than he was in haste to be gone, for he was
ever on business of importan(3e, and was at that time actually compiling
materials for the history of one Mr. Thomas Trip. I immediately
recognised this good-natured man's red-pimpled nose."

flISTOET OP THE COUNTY LONGPOED. 343

At this time he became rather -well known, which soon enlarged the
circle of his acquaintances ; and the report of his greatness soon travelling
to Ballymahon, his friends thought he could do anything for them. They
accordingly wrote to him to ask him for his patronage ; and in reply to the
letter he received from a Mr. Hodson, he wrote, inter alia: —

"I suppose you desire to know my present situation. As there is
nothing in it at which I should blush, or which mankind could censure,
I see no reason for making it a secret. In short, by a very little prac-
tice as a physician, and a very little reputation as a poet, I manage to
live. Nothing is more .apt to introduce us to the gates of the Muses than
poverty ; but it were well if they only left us at the door. The mischief
is, they sometimes choose to give us their company to the entertainment,
and want, instead of being gentleman usher, often turns master of the
ceremonies."

Soon after writing this letter he obtained an appointment as surgeon
on the coast of Coromandel, but failed, from poverty, to appear either in
fitting garb or with accurate ideas before the Examining Board of the
College of Surgeons. He was examined in December, 1758, but was
rejected on account of inefl&ciency, and his spirits were soon after still
further damped by the threat of the editor of the Monthly. Review to have
him committed to prison, if he did not pay the debt he owed him for a
proper suit of clothes in which to appear before the Examining Board of
the College. Bishop Percy, of Dromore, called on him during those
days, and thus describes his abode : —

"I called on Goldsmith at his lodgings, in 1759, and found him
writing his ' Inquiry ' in a miserable dirty room, in which there was
but one chair ; and when, from civility, he resigned it to me, he himself
was obliged to sit in the window. Whilst we wei'e conversing together
some one tapped gently at the door ; and being desired to come in, a
poor, ragged-looking little girl, of a very becoming demeanour, entered
the room, and dropping a courtesy, said : ' My mamma sends her com-
pliments, and begs the favour of you to lend her a chamber-pot full
of coals.' "

344 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGPOBD.

After the publication of his " Inq^iiry into the Present State of
Polite Learning in Europe," a furious onslaught was made on him in
the Monthly Bevietv, with the editor of which he had the quarrel about
the suit of clothes. In this unjust and unnatural attack, poor Groldsmith
was described as " labouring under the infamy of having forfeited all
pretensions to honour or honesty ;" but the attack' was universally
condemned as malignant, and was never replied to by the author.

In 1761 he met and made the acquaintance of Dr. Johnson, who
quickly introduced him to the host of celebrated men who formed the
Literary Club of those days ; and soon after he was on intimate terms
with Garrick, Boswell, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and others. In 1763 he
published the beautiful story of the " Vicar of "Wakefield," which he
followed in 1764 with the poem which made his reputation — " The
Traveller " — and which was dedicated to Rev. Henry Goldsmith, rector
of Lissoy. This poem raised him at once, in the opinion of the public
and of his competitors for literary fame, to the level of the greatest
living poet, and added most considerably to his circle of acquaintances,
which now consisted of wits, scholars, authors, artists, actors, and states-
men, amongst the latter being the great orator, Edmund Burke.

Boswell recorded several of the conversational disputes that occurred
at the Literary Club between Johnson and Goldsmith. Johnson was
somewhat of a bully in conversational matters, and could ill withstand
contradiction. One day, when Goldsmith was going to speak, Johnson
interrupted him. " Take it," said Goldsmith, angrily. " Sir," said
Johnson, angrily, " I was not interrupting you ; I was only giving a
signal of attention. Sir, you are impertinent." The same evening he
met Goldsmith in company with a friend, to whom he said he would
make Goldsmith forgive him. " Doctor Goldsmith," said he, " some-
thing passed to-day where you and I dined ; I ask your pardon." It
would be much from you, sir," replied poor Goldsmith, " that I would
take ill ;" and so the angry feelings were at once allayed. On many
occasions he had to do the needful for distressed countrymen of his own.
One time a fellow named Glover lived on his bounty for some weeks.

ItlSTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD. 345

and thus described Groldsmitli : " Our doctor, as Groldsmitli -was called,
had a constant love of his distressed countrymen, -whose wants, as far
as he "was able, he always relieved ; and he has often been known to
leave himself without a guinea in order to supply the necessities of
others."

On May 26th, 1770, he produced his poem, " The Deserted Village,"
which he followed by producing the Histories of Rome, G-reece, and
England for the use of schools, which contain a good deal of matter and
some literary merit ; and he took a voyage to France about this time.
In 1772 he wrote a play, " She Stoops to Conquer," which was produced
in Drury-lane Theatre, and had a triumphant success wherever it was
performed, and still retains its place amongst the pieces on the stage.
Groldsmith's life was now drawing to a close, and his end was not happy.
He had for some time suffered from an nglj complaint, which the extra-
vagance he plunged into from his sad and pensive moods gi'eatly aggra-
vated; and on 4fch April, 1774, he expired of a slow fever, having some
time previously retired to live in the suburbs of London. He was
interred in Westminster Abbey, in the Poets' Corner, and the following
inscription in Latin stands over his remains : —

This Monument is raised

to

Oliver G-oldsmith,

Poet, Natural Philosopher, Historian,

Who left no species of writing untouched

or

Unadorned by his pen,

Whether to move laughter or to draw tears.

He was a powerful Master over the affections ;

Of a genius sublime, lively, and versatile ;

In expression noble, pure, and elegant.

His memory will last

Whilst society retains affection,

Friendship is not devoid of truth.

And reading is held in high esteem.

He was born in Ireland, in the Parish of Porgney,

346 .HISTORY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

County of Longford, at a place named

Pallas,

29tli November, 1728.

He was educated in Dublin,

And died in London,

4tli April, 1774

John Keegan Casey, who wrote some of the most charming and
patriotic verses to be found in the whole range of Irish poetry, was
born at a place called Castletown Geoghegan, in the County "Westmeath,
on the borders of the County Longford, about the year 1845. Whilst
the future poet was still a mere child, his father obtained the appoint-
ment of schoolmaster in the village school of Gurteen, about two miles
distant from Ballymahon, and between that town and Kenagh. Here
young Casey was reared, and here, in the neighbourhood of Ballymulvey
and the Inny, he inhaled, as it were, the first inspirations of poetry.
As soon as he was able to do so, he was called upon by his father to
assist him in teaching his school ; and at this occupation he spent
nearly ten years. Aboiit the year 1860, he first began to write pieces
of poetry, which from their beauty and style, as well as lofty conception,
soon obtained a prominent place in the columns of the Weekly News
and Nation. Previous to this, poor Casey, whilst yet a mere boy, had
been in the, habit, even when teaching a class for his father, of falling
into an abstracted mood, out of which he would start by repeating some
lines of poetry audibly, which he was thinking how to put together ;
and this habit chained for him the very uncomplimentary title of
" Shawn the Ehymer." Between the years 1860 and 1864, Ireland's
intense curiosity was aroused by the gigantic struggle which convulsed
the United States ; and during those days, too, " Leo's " mind (for
" Leo " was the nom-de-plume he wrote under) was actively engaged in
pouring forth abundant stores of patriotic verses, so that not a ballad-
singer in Ireland but was acquainted with him. In 1865 " Shawn the
Ehymer " had grown to be " Leo the Poet." Everyone is acquainted
with the initiation in that year of a great political movement — a move-

~ 3

\,\i7i <-t.-^v ^ "^^

HISTOEY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOED. 349

flment set on foot by one man, and a morement whicli struck terror into
tlie hearts of our ]6ritish rulers. During its early stages, John K. Casey
became accidentally acquainted with a prominent Fenian in his neigh-
bourhood, and was easily and soon converted to the doctrine for which
Tone, Emmet, and Fitzgerald died. He was so enthusiastic, too, in the
cause he had espoused, that he was at a loss how to propagate its doc-
trine. It is easy, however, to find a way when there is a will. There was
at this time in Ballymahon a real true-hearted Soggarth Aroon, named
Father Lee. To him Casey applied for permission to start a Purgatorian
Society in the parish. Father Lee knew Casey well — knew him from
his boyhood — and readily gave his consent to the formation of a society
for so charitable an object. The society was easily formed — everyone
knew and everyone loved " Leo " — and ere long he had all the young
men, and some of the staid men too, in his Purgatorian Society. But
after each night's meeting, the scholars used to wonder how it was that
the seats would be piled up in a corner, and the floor cleared. They
thought that if the " Dies Irce " was being chanted, the society should
be seated, or if the Rosary were being recited they should kneel — for
neither of which positions would it be comfortable to have the seats
piled in a corner ; and so gradually it came to be tacitly understood
that whilst " Leo " and his brother-members were doing good for the
souls of the dead, they also were thinking of doing good for those who
were living — in other words, " Leo " was a Fenian organizer ; and what
safer way could he take to make converts ? As for poor Father Lee,
he never found out that " Leo " was doing a corporal and spiritual work
of mercy at the same time, in holding Purgatorian and Fenian meetings
together.

Towards the end of '65 he obtained an appointment in the town of
Ballymahon as assistant school-teacher and clerk in the Roman Catholic
chapel, and was next given a school of his own in the parish of JSTew-
towncashel. During this time he was engaged writing anti-Saxon
songs, a number of ballads which, under the title of the " Wreath of
Shamrocks," were pubhshed in leaflet form, and took a prominent

1h

360 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOED.

place in the homes and at the firesides of the peasantry of the County
Longford.

He does not seem to have liked school-teaching as a profession, for,
having been offered an appointment by the Murtagh Bros, as their
agent in Castlerea, he resigned his school in a few months, and went to
reside there. During all this time he had continued to pour forth, week
after week, songs, poems, and ballads of all descriptions ; and he and
another contributor to the Nation, who wrote under the nom-de-plume
of the " Bard of Thomond," had more than one controversy such as
pressmen often engage in. At the close of '66 he repaired to Dublin
to live. Here he became a miscellaneous writer, and was attached to
the editorial staff of the Irish People, in which position he, his editor,
John O'Leary, and many others were arrested after the Fenian rising
early in '67. After that he was imprisoned for nine months in Mount-
joy Prison, where he fell in love with Mary Briscoe (who, some said,
was the daughter of a respectable Castlerea merchant, where, when in
the service of the Murtagh Bros., he met and wooed her), and married
her privately at Marlborough-street Cathedral on November 20th, 1867.
He had been released from prison on condition of leaving Ireland for
good ; but how could he leave his young and dearly -loved Mary Briscoe
just after the sacred link that bound them inseparably together had
been fastened ? " Leo " resolved not to leave Ireland, and for this
purpose disguised himself as a Quaker, and took up his residence near
Cork-hill, and in fact, in the very vicinity of the Castle. Here, disguised
as a Mr. Harrison, he lived in seclusion from November, '67, until
March '68, when, throwing aside all fear of further arrest, he came forth
from his hiding-place on St. Patrick's morning, and was never after-
wards disturbed by the Groverment. During the remainder of '68 and '69
he contributed a number of short spicy tales to the Shamrock and Young
Ireland, the best of which were : " Ella, the Dancing Grirl," " My Aunt
Tommy," "Marion," and " The Grreen Flag of France."

At the same time Casey made several lecturing tours in the South of
Ireland and England, the subjects of his lectures being — " The Influence

HISTORY OF THE COLTNTY LONGFOED. 351

of National Poetry," " The Irish-women of Letters," and the " Orators
Letters;" and a lecture delivered in Dublin and Cork on the first-
named subject, gained for him a round of congratulatory critiques on
his oratorical powers.

It was during those days that the election of Dungarvan took place,
which fairly covered him with glory, when, by his burning appeal to
their patriotism, the men of Dungarvan hurled Sergeant Barry — the
foul libeller of the Fenian Brotherhood, whose conduct during the
State Trials of '65 was condemned as an outrage to Irish feeling all
over the world — from his position as M.P. for that borough, and adopted
in his stead an Englishman and a lawyer, named Mathews, in pre-
ference to the traitor Irishman, Poor Casey and Rev. Father
Anderson, O.S.A., harangued the people, and roused them to a sense
of their duty to their country, and " Leo's " burning speeches largely
influenced the election and its result. It will not be uninteresting
to some of my readers to know that this same Mathews is, as I write,
Home Secretary for England.

In March, 1869, the firm of Cameron and Ferguson published the
copyright of some hundreds of his poems, including the " Wreath of
Shamrocks," which he already had issued before his arrest in '67, and
their publication, under the title of " The Rising of the Moon and other
Poems," was highly applauded by critics of all shades of religious and
political feeling. His death was tragic almost in its suddenness. For
some time he had suffered from that dread and terrible disease, a bad chest
and affected lungs, but, under the skilful care of the Dublin physicians,
was rapidly improving. Early in March, 1870, he was driving down
by the quays in Dublin, when a dray came in collision with the cab he
was seated m. He went to jump out of the cab, when he fell heavily
to the ground, the shock stunning him almost to unconsciousness. He
recovered, however, but on next evening when crossing O'Connell (then
Carlisle) Bridge, he was attacked with a vomitmg of blood which almost
killed him on the spot. He was conveyed home in a very weak state,
and lived for a week ; and on St. Patrick's morning, in 1870, after

352 EISTOEY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

vomiting blood for almost five hours, he expired in his wife's arms,
fortified by all the consolations of the Holy Catholic Church, of which
he was a faithful son during life.

His poems were collected afterwards, and, from the profits raised
by their publication, the publisher has just succeeded in raising a hand- •
some tomb to commemorate the virtues of him who sleeps beneath.
Cut off, as he was, in his very prime, regretted by all those who knew
him as a pure-souled lover of dear Ireland, how great and how honoured
might he not be to-day, had it pleased the Almighty to spare him ! But
it was not to be ; and the heartfelt wish of many a patriotic Irishman
will be echoed when I say — May the clay rest lightly o'er him ! may the
grass there be ever greenest ! and may the soul that dwelt within him
rest for ever in the mansions of eternal bliss !

" Leo's " Poems.

Casey's poems may be classed under three headings — Legendary,
Patriotic, and Amatory. Of these, very few, with the exception of
" Shawn O'Farrell," are at all known to the people of the County
Longford. The people about Lissoy and Pallas delight in repeating
Oliver Grold.smith's verses ; but the people of the same neighbourhood
seem to know nothing about J. K. Casey's patriotic verses, written at
a time when all Ireland was in a blaze of patriotic ardour, and when
the dearest hopes of a struggling nation were being slowly undermined
by false friends and open foes. It is, in my opinion, a stain on the
literary escutcheon of the people of Longford that they do not get a
copy, and devour with all the ardour of their souls the verses of " The
Wreath of Shamrocks "or " The Rising of the Moon ;" and I promise
any young man or young woman in our county that if he or she read,
even in the most passing manner, poor " Leo's " patriotic, amatory, and
legendary poems, their love of country and love of Erin's ancient and
modern minstrelsy will in nowise suffer.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOKD. 353

PA TRIOTIG.

DTJNGARVAN JAMES.

Written at the Dungarvan Election.

Vote for him, slaves ; take his hand as a brother ;
Shout for him, people, his heart is your own-
To the hustings, good patriot, the country's in danger,
And Barry will save it, he swears by God's throne.

Tho' the gold that he flings so profusely around him
Has been won by the blood of the brave that he sold ;
Tho' the tongue that you hear bears the slime of soul murder,
Vote for him ! cheer for him ! pick up the gold !

He has hunted your kin from their home to the dungeon ;
He has spat on the name and the fame of your land ;
With the hate of a demon he spied for his master —
Then raise up a chorus for Barry the grand.

How blandly he smiles with his Hackets around him !
How sweetly he bows to the men at his side !
How blandly he smiled when he strangled the hero
Who died for the cause for which Emmet had died !

For the sake of his saintship let mankind be sullied,
And all that is glorious dragged into the dust.
Shut your eyes to the dock — to the bench be they lifted,
As he adds one more link to the fetters that rust.

He comes, the Apostle, his deacons around ;
Even you must forget all the things of the past —
The tongue of the serpent, the scent of the bloodhound.
The coil that was woven, the nets that were cast.

354 HIRTOKY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

YES, HAUGHTY LOEDLING.

Yes, haugtty lordling, I am poor ;

I'm low-bred, if you will —
A thing mayhap to please thy sport,

And prove thy tyrant skill.
But proud's the blood that fills my heart

And sets my breast aglow —
No bastard blood, proud Saxon lord —

Though humble, I'm not low.
[5 Verses.]

THE BOLD EAPPAEEE.

And I'll ride to the north in the morning.
And I'll ride to the north in the night.
Till I come to brave Redmond O'Hanlon,
And give him a lift in the fight.
'Tis then I'll be sporting and courting ;
It's then I'll be riding full free.
With an eye on the black undertaker
Who plundered the bold Kapparee.
[2 Yerses.]

OTJE TOASTS.

Air — The Minstrel Boy.

To he learned hy every Longford man.

We drink a toast to the brave old land —

To the land that we love dearest ;
We drink a toast to the men who stand.

Who cling to our cause the nearest.
Our flag is raised to the rushing wind ;

No foe can stain its colour —
O Ireland ! soon thy sons shall find

Thou'rt freed from chains and dolour.

HISTOliY OP THE COUNTY LONGFOKD. 355

We drink a toast to the men who died

For the cause of our olden Nation ;
We drink a toast to the men still tried

In the hulks for our land's salvation.
And as we clasp each brother's hand,

With the eyes of our sisters shining,
There's more than hope for our own dear land —

There's more to do than pining.

LOrU POEMS.

AMONG THE PLOWEES.
Every proper name used here has reference to the neighhourhood of Ballymdhon.
In leafy Tang the wild birds sang —

The brown light lay on Derry's heather ;
But years have pass'd since we the last

Sat courting in the summer weather.
The tender light of stars at night,

That soothes the wanderer so weary,
Could only show the silvery glow

That lit your glance, my darling Mary !

The Inny's shore, and tall Eathmore, '

The sunlight on the trembling meadows.
The pastured lea by fair Lough Ree,

Are now to me but fading shadows.
Two eyes of blue still keep their hue —

Two lustrous eyes that never vary.
And on me shine with love divine —

Those eyes are thine, my darling Mary !

In summer hours, among the flowers,

The wandering west wind found thee lonely ;
In autumn time the streamlet's rhyme

Appeared to chime unto thee only.
By wildwood side, by Shrughan's tide,

Tou wandered like a gladsome fairy —
No winds can tell the airy spell

That floated round thy presence, Mary !

356 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGfOED.

loved and lost ! tho' tempest tost,

The exile's track is mine for ever ;
Far o'er the sea, astor machree,

I stray to thee and Inny's river — .
For by its side I'd call thee bride,

But fortune of its gifts was chary ;
A sunlit gleam — a passing dream.

And all is gone for ever, Mary !

I have, doubtless, taken an unwarrantable liberty in culling these
few verses from an old coverless copy of the " Wreath of Shamrocks,"
which a friend lent me ; but I am chiefly anxious to show, if possible,
the beauty and patriotic fire of poor " Leo's " pieces. I was never
poetically inclined myself, nor could I put two lines of poetry together ;
but I can conscientiously declare that if ever I did think of attempting
to soar into lyrical regions, it was when I read the songs of the dead
" Leo."

Ballymahon and the parish of Shrewle possess very little further
interest for us, if we except the interest attached to its legendary tales,
some of which are given in Casey's legendary poems, the beauty and
simplicity of which will be apparent on perusal.

One of those that I have heard referred to a giant who lived in ages
past in the parish, and who was in the habit of exercising himself every
morning and evening in throwing a large rock, about twenty tons
weight, from beyond the Curneens River into Ballymahon and back
again. History does not record this wonderful man's name, but he
must not have been the fabulous Finn MacCoul, because Finn never did
such foolish things. Another legend referred to the city supposed to
be buried beneath Lough Drum, and which a diver, in searching for the
lost body of a child, discovered. The diver brought up a pan from the
town, and was told by a priest standing by not to attempt to see who
called to him for it. He broke the command, however, and got his eye
poked out for his pains. A third legend relates to St. Patrick's Well,
a holy well about two miles from Ballymahon, the waters of which,

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HISTORY OK THE COUNTY LONGFOEri. 359

"when put on a roaring fire, never boil, no matter how long they are left
on,' nor how strong may be the blaze. Outside Ballymahon is New-
castle, the seat of Col. King-Harman, a local aristocrat, to whom I shall
probably again refer.

FOEGNEY.

A small portion of the parish of Forgney, which belongs to the
diocese of Meath, comes into the County of Longford, and in this small
portion is Pallas, the birth-place of Oliver Goldsmith, and not the town
of Ballymahon, to which I have given credit. Pallas was anciently
called Baile-atha-na-Pailse, where the following historical event took
place : —

" 1462. Thomas, the son of Cathal, who was son of Cathal
O'Farrell, tanist of Annaly, was slain at Baile-atha-na-Pailse (Pallas)
at night, whilst in pursuit of plunder which a party of Dillons — the
Clan Eonchobhar and the sons of Murtogh — were carrying off. They
carried away his head and his spoils, having found him with only a few
troops — a circumstance that seldom happened to him."

In this parish there were the ruins of an old church which Mr.
O'Donovan believed should be under the tutelage of St. Muniseps, and
stood in the townland of Forgney. He also found that there was an
ancient holy well, dedicated to St. Patrick, who, he says, was not its
rightful patron, but no person in the parish knew any other. Those
details are all that I can give of this parish.

A Personal Memoir.

Before I conclude this volume, I would like to say a few words
regarding a gentleman to whom I can trace back my first love for
history. I refer to my old teacher, Mr. Thomas M'G-eoy, whose
lectures about Irish history, at school years ago, first awoke in my
heart a love for that study. Of Mr. M'Geoy's services to national
education, it is perhaps unnecessary to speak ; but I am one of those
who believe that in the dark days, before Irish education was a

1 I

360 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFORD.

department of State, Mr. M'Geoy rendered yeoman service to the
cause of Irish education here. Regarding his ability to do so,.
Assistant-Commissioner Harvey, in his evidence given before a Royal
Commission, which presented a report to Parliament in 1870, says: —
" Passing from external details, I come next to the teachers and
scholars in ordinary National Schools. The teachers may be divided
into two groups —trained and untrained. "Were I called upon to
characterize these two groups, I should describe the trained teachers
as good, and the untrained as indifferent, and sometimes bad. It
would hardly be fair, however, to speak in this way without reserva-
tion. Amongst the trained teachers I met several whom I could not
rank above fair, and among the untrained there were some who by
natural aptitude were good. In my district the numbers in the two
classes were nearly equally divided. In a list of forty-three, whose
schools I examined, there were nineteen who had been six months or
more in the Dublin Normal Institution, and twenty-four who had had
no such intermediate training. Of these, half-a-dozen or more had
enjoyed the benefit of district or minor model schools ; but in order to
avoid unnecessary and minute sub-divisions, I shall confine the designa-
tion of trained teachers to those who had been educated in Dublin.
Without reference to their training, but solely by examination, and under
regulations of the Board as to the numbers of their scholars and other
matters, the teachers were arranged in three classes — first, second, and
third. These again were subdivided into grades, so that altogether
there were seven steps from the highest to the lowest — the highest
being a teacher of the first division of the first class, and the lowest a
probationer. Of the nineteen trained teachers mentioned above, five
were in the first class, eight in the second, and six in the third ; and of
the twenty-four untrained, there was no one in the first class, eleven
in the second, ten in the third, and three were probationers. Of the
whole number I met only one who had attained the highest possible
rank, whose name and school, honoris causa, I may be allowed to mention —
Mr. M'Geoy, of Longford."

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY LONGFOKD. 361

Mr. M'Geoy is now considerably over ten years retired from active
service as a teacher, and, with his worthy son, Rev. Thomas M'Geoy,
Adm., Ballymahon, enjoys in a ripe old age the pleasures won in his
long and well-spent life. I trust that many more years will pass
before he is called .to that reward which we expect to be the lot of
those who fight for faith and fatherland to their latest breath.

Conclusion.
We have now come to the conclusion of our County history.
Nothing that could be done to make it instructive and interesting has
been spared by me. I trust that the reader will do all he can to make
allowance for anything he meets that may jar on the feehngs or sensi-
bilities of anyone. I have endeavoured to the utmost of my ability to
give a true narrative, from the most reliable sources, of all the important
events that have ever occurred within our borders ; and if one result
of my labours will be, that Longford men in exile will find their hearts
warmed anew to the land of their birth, and that Longford men at
home shall esteem the blessing of being able to live at home as one of
the greatest pleasures of their humble lives, because of the traditions of
their native county, then I shall be amply rewarded and satisfied.

The End.

DOLLABB, PBIHTINOHOUSE, DDBUN.